Spain's Alvaro Morata, left, reacts after scoring, to take the score to 0-2 against Liechtenstein during the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia group G qualification soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on Tuesday, Sept.5, 2017. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Spain cruised to an 8-0 win over last-place Liechtenstein to stay in control of Group G in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday.
Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas each scored two goals as Spain maintained its three-point advantage over second-place Italy with two matches remaining.
Spain also scored through Sergio Ramos, Francisco "Isco" Alarcon, David Silva and an own goal by Max Goeppel as it repeated its 8-0 victory over Liechtenstein last year, securing at least second place in the group for the 2010 world champions.
Spain has a far better goal difference than Italy, which it beat 3-0 on Saturday, so it can virtually secure first place - and a spot for next year's tournament in Russia - with a home win against Albania in Alicante on Oct. 6.
Spain's last loss in World Cup qualifying was in November 1993.
Elsewhere in the group, Italy edged Israel 1-0 and Albania drew 1-1 with Macedonia.
___
ABJECT ITALY
Italy all but secured a playoff place after laboring to a victory over Israel but it was an abject performance from the Azzurri, who were jeered off the pitch at halftime.
Ciro Immobile's second-half goal means Italy needs just one point from its final two qualifying matches to secure second spot and a playoff berth. It next plays Macedonia in Turin on Oct. 6, three days before it visits Albania.
Israel now has no chance of qualifying.
The jeers in Italy began after about 15 minutes as the Azzurri struggled to find a rhythm. Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura was clearly as frustrated as the fans and could be seen banging his head on the roof covering the substitutes' bench.
Italy improved in the second half and Daniele de Rossi and Immobile both had chances before the deadlock was broken eight minutes after the restart when Antonio Candreva floated in a pinpoint cross from the right flank for Immobile to head in at the far post.
It was Immobile's sixth goal in eight qualifying matches for Italy.
___
HERO TO VILLAIN
Albania's hopes of reaching the playoffs are almost certainly over after it was held to a draw in Macedonia.
Odise Roshi headed Armando Sadiku's cross in off the far post to give Albania the lead in the 53rd minute.
However, Roshi went from hero to villain in the 77th minute, when he conceded a penalty that Aleksandar Trajkovski converted on his 25th birthday.
Albania slipped six points below Italy.
___
More AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/WorldCup
Spain's Iago Aspas and Isco react after Aspas scored to make the score 0-5 against Liechtenstein during the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia group G qualification soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on Tuesday, Sept.5, 2017. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Spain's head coach Julen Lopetegui during the game against Liechtenstein during the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia group G qualification soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Players of Spain react after Sergio Ramos, second from left, scored the first goal of the game during the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia group G qualification soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, on Tuesday, Sept.5, 2017. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
The Associated Press
Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, celebrates with teammates, from left, Andrea Belotti, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Candreva after scoring during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura, left, celebrates his side's 1-0 win, at the end of the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Italy and Israel at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Albania's players celebrate after Odise Roshi scored the first goal against Macedonia, during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Macedonia and Albania at Mladost Stadium in Strumica, southeastern Macedonia, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
The Associated Press
Albania's Odise Roshi, right, celebrates with Armando Sadiku, left, after scoring against Macedonia, during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Macedonia and Albania at Mladost Stadium in Strumica, southeastern Macedonia, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
The Associated Press
Macedonia's Aleksandar Trajkovski, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring from penalty against Albania during the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Macedonia and Albania at Mladost Stadium in Strumica, southeastern Macedonia, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
The Associated Press
Albania's head coach Christian Panuci looks on ahead the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Macedonia and Albania at Mladost Stadium in Strumica, southeastern Macedonia, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
The Associated Press