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Spain were away to Liechtenstein with qualification for the World Cup all but secured after thrashing Italy on the weekend. Lopetegui opted for three in the back and, instead of wing-backs, utilized Silva and Pedro as full on wingers. Morata was positioned up top as a target man. There would be no place for Carvajal or Asensio in the starting XI, but Sergio Ramos and Isco did get the nod.
Spain dominated from the outset; they pinned Liechtenstein back within their 18 and sprayed passes from one side to the other looking to unlock the defense. It would not take long to open the scoring. Two minutes into the match and Spain won a free kick. Who else gets on to the end of the free kick but a certain Sergio Ramos. He met David Silva's in-swinging delivery with perfection and nodded the ball home. That would just be the beginning. Spain would go on to pepper Liechtenstein’s goal and eventually put eight past them. Isco was once again involved in everything and continued his brilliant goal-scoring form by notching Spain's third goal in the 16th minute.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Sergio Ramos — 7.5: Scored his 11th goal for Spain and is now two away from Fernando Hierro as the highest goal-scoring defender in Spanish national team history. Nodded the ball home from a David Silva free kick in the third minute and was able to cruise through the match. He formed part of a back-three with Pique and Nacho Monreal. Spain’s dominance meant Ramos had the ability to push forward almost as a full-back and found himself on the wing whipping in crosses on a number of occasions. Was replaced by Nacho at the start of 2nd half.
Isco — 8: the former Malaga man continued his fine form and barely put a foot wrong. He was given total freedom by Lopetegui and buzzed about the pitch picking up the ball anywhere he pleased. Scored Spain's third goal and his third in two matches after a poor giveaway from Liechtenstein fell to Morata who put it on a plate for Isco to slot home. Isco will come back to Valdebebas full of confidence. He was replaced by Deulofeu in the 56th minute.
Nacho—6.5: Played 45 minutes after replacing Sergio Ramos at the start of the 2nd half. Like Ramos, was able to push forward from the back three and get some crosses in on the right-hand flank. Lichtenstein did not offer much of a challenge offensively, but Nacho was assured in his positioning and moved the ball well around the back and into the midfield. It was nice to see the Madrid man incorporated into the match and Nacho looks to be a key role player for Lopetegui.