Spain break forward on a late counter-attack through Deuolofeu and win themselves one last corner. He steps up and curls a cross into the heart of the penalty area, but it's easily dealt with by the Liechtenstein defence before the ball can pick out a Spain player.
90' +1
Morata breaks into the left-hand side of hosts' penalty area before spinning and finding Aspas, who shoots quickly but sees his strike deflected over the top of the crossbar for a corner. Once again, the set-piece picks out a white shirt, but this time it's Nacho who sends his header well wide of the goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time. Can Spain make it 9-0!
89'
M. Göppel is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOAL! Spain have found their eighth goal! A cross-field pass picks out Deulofeu, who quickly unleashes a first-time, half-volleyed cross from the right-hand side of the penalty area. It flies into the middle of the box and deflects off Goppel, who accidentally knocks the ball past Jehle and into the back of the net.
88'
Another determined Spain attacking move results in another corner, this time over on the right flank. It's curled in and picks out Thiago, but he can't make decent contact with the ball and sends his headed effort comfortably wide of the goal.
86'
Nacho darts into the right-hand side of the penalty area, but he's closed down well and has to settle for a corner. The set-piece initially fails to result in a chance on goal before bouncing out to Iniesta, who shoots but can't hit the target with his effort from distance.
84'
Great movement by Morata sets him up to unleash a thumping low shot from the right-hand side of the Liechtenstein box, but, once again, Jehle does really well to save the effort to deny Spain yet another goal.
83'
S. Wolfinger enters the game and replaces F. Burgmeier.
Burgmeier receives a rousing round of applause from both the home and away fans as he's replaced by Sandro Wolfinger.
82'
Burgmeier, who has arguably been Liechtensteiner's best player going forward, cuts inside from the right wing and beats Monreal before looking to shoot. He's unable to do so though, as Pique is there to dispossess him at the vital moment.
81'
Sergio Busquets gets yellow.
Salanovic manages to get the better of Busquets as he charges down the left flank. He's then cynically dragged back by the Barcelona man, who receives a needless late booking.
Minute
Description
80'
And now it's Deulofeu who's presented with a great opportunity to make it 8-0, but his strike at the near post is closed down well and deflects behind for a corner.
79'
Iniesta and Aspas link up well just outside of the Liechtenstein box before Thiago decides to shoot, but there's far too much power behind his side-footed shot and it sails high over the top of the crossbar.
78'
A. Sele enters the game and replaces M. Polverino.
Substitution Michele Polverino Aron Sele
77'
The resulting throw-in is launched into the Spain penalty area and finds Wieser. The number 10 initially holds up the ball well before thinking he's won a corner, but ther referee doesn't agree and instead awards a corner to Spain, much to the annoyance of the home fans.
76'
Buchel charges down the right wing as he tries to latch onto a loose ball and fire a cross into the box, but Pique is there to deal with the danger with a well-timed sliding interception.
74'
Spain move the ball from one flank to the other before Nacho eventually fires a cross into the penalty area, but it takes a slight deflection off a blue shirt that sends it flying into the hands of Jehle at the near post.
72'
Huge chance for Monreal to make it 8-0! Pedro is barged into deep down the left flank, and Spain are awarded another free-kick in a good position. It's chipped into the middle of the box and finds Monreal in an acre of space, but he somehow sends his free header sailing over the top of the crossbar.
71'
A Spain attacking move breaks down and allows Liechtenstein to fly forward on a rare counter-attack. Hasler is all by himself and has two players to beat, but he's unable to do so and the visitors easily deal with the danger.
70'
A wonderful cross in from the right wing should find the head of Morata in front of goal, but the Chelsea striker doesn't attack the ball with enough purpose and the home side are just about able to hold on.
69'
Salanovic puts Pique under pressure deep down the left wing and gifts Liechtenstein their first corner of the game. It's Burgmeier who whips in a dangerous cross, but De Gea is there to get a fist on the ball.
67'
Great opportunity for Nacho! The defender makes a lovely run into the Liechtenstein box and manages to latch onto a beautiful ball forward from Iniesta, but he can't quite make decent contact with the pass and sends his glancing header behind for a goal-kick.
65'
Spain patiently knock the ball around midway inside the Liechtenstein half of the pitch before Pedro tries to pick out Deulofeu deep down the right wing, but his pass is slightly overhit and can't find the Barcelona forward.
63'
Iago Aspas has scored a goal for Spain!
GOAL! It's a seventh for Spain! A corner isn't fully dealt with by the Liechtenstein defence after Jehle pulls off another good save, and this time it's Aspas who's there to smash the ball into the back of the net from close range to increase Spain's comfortable lead.
62'
Another excellent save by Jehle! Aspas and Deulofeu link up really nicely before the latter shoots from close range, but the goalkeeper sticks out a foot to deny the youngster a goal.
61'
Pique gets himself in a spot of bother deep down the right flank as he tries, and fails, to clear the danger after showboating slightly, as he ends up firing a volleyed clearance straight to a blue shirt. Spain manage to hold on though, as Liechtenstein can't take advantage of the mistake.
60'
S. Yildiz enters the game and replaces I. Quintans.
Liechtenstein have made their first substitution of the night, with Seyhan Yildiz coming on to take the place of Ivan Quintans.
58'
What a save by Jehle! Yet another brilliant cross looks set to result in a headed goal for Morata, but his bullet header is excellently pushed away by the right hand of the Liechtenstein goalkeeper.
57'
Spain have made their third and final change, with Isco making way for Gerard Deulofeu.
56'
Deulofeu enters the game and replaces Isco.
Thiago steps up and curls in a deep cross from the free-kick, but it's poorly hit by the midfielder and sails behind for a goal-kick.
55'
S. Wieser gets yellow.
Sandro Wieser is beaten by Pedro and quickly pulls back the Chelsea man with a cynical tug, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card and award Spain a free-kick just outside of the box.
54'
Álvaro Morata has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Iago Aspas.
It was Aspas who set up Morata to get his second goal of the game. Once again, the Liechtenstein defence should have done better, but it really was briliantly placed by the substitute.
GOAL! Morata has another one! A beautiful pass cuts the Liechtenstein back line in two and picks out Morata, who goes one-on-one with Jehle and easily slots a low shot past the veteran goalkeeper.
53'
Liechtenstein are really starting to tire now. They've been run ragged by a star-studded Spain team and they're beginning to find an already daunting task even more difficult.
51'
Iago Aspas has scored a goal for Spain!
GOAL! It's 5-0! A beautiful cross from Pedro flies right onto the head of Morata, who really should score but smashes the crossbar with his header. It bounces off the back of Jehle and over to Aspas, who is easily able to tap the ball into the back of the net from just a yard or so out.
50'
Vital interception by Daniel Kaufmann! A lovely cross in from Pedro looks set to find Morata in front of goal, but this time it's Kaufmann who cuts out the danger with an outstretched foot at the vital moment.
49'
Salanovic clatters into Monreal from behind, resulting a free-kick for Spain in a promising position out wide. It's whipped in by Isco and towards Busquets, but his cross is a poor one and is easily dealt with by the home side.
47'
Monreal quickly darts into the left-hand side of the Liechtenstein penalty area before firing a low cross towards the near post, but it's cut out and poked behind for a corner before it can find Morata, who was lurking with intent.
46'
Iago Aspas enters the game and replaces David Silva.
Nacho enters the game and replaces Sergio Ramos.
Spain have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Nacho, who replaced Ramos.
We're underway once again!
And the second is Iago Aspas, with Silva making way.
45' +1
Pedro is dispossessed on the edge of the Liechtenstein box, allowing the hosts to counter quickly. Salanovic charges down the right flank and then sets up Hasler near to the penalty area, where the striker is immediately closed down by white shirts and can't find a way through on goal.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Spain break away down the left flank and do well to win themselves a corner. It's whipped in by Silva and finds Pique, but the centre-back can't make decent contact with his ball and sends his glancing header over to the right wing.
42'
Liechtenstein are able to string together another series of decent passes as they push forward on a rare foray into the Spain half of the pitch. Salanovic does well to curl in a cross from deep down the right flank, but it's slightly overhit and Burgmeier can't quite control the ball.
40'
Huge opportunity for Liechtenstein to pull one back! De Gea slips as he tries to clear the danger, knocking it straight into the feet of Salanovic. He quickly works the ball over to Polverino, who immediately shoots but can't beat De Gea with a rather tame side-footed effort.
39'
David Silva has scored a goal for Spain!
GOAL! World-class strike by Silva! Thiago is bundled over on the right wing, resulting in a free-kick for Spain in a dangerous position just outside of the box. Silva steps up and shoots, and his beautiful shot curls straight into the top right-hand corner of the net.
38'
The pace of the game has slowed down somewhat over the last 10 minutes or so, with Spain seemingly content to patiently knock the ball around instead of bursting forward. They're nonetheless comfortably bossing possession, with Liechtenstein not being able to get anywhere near the ball.
36'
Franz Burgmeier is the latest Liechtenstein player to go down injured after receiving a clattering from Isco, but after a few moments on the floor and he's able to get back to his feet and the game gets underway once again.
34'
Almost a chance for Morata to make it 4-0! A fizzing pass flies across the face of goal and looks set to find Morata at the far post, but, despite his best efforts, the striker can't quite reach the ball with his outstretched leg.
32'
Ouch! Max Goppel is lying in a heap on the floor after being clattered into by Thiago, leaving him in serious discomfort. There was no malice in the foul by the Spaniard, but it's left the young defender with a sore throat.
30'
Morata muscles his way into the Liechtenstein box as he comfortably beats three defenders. He then sets himself to unleash a curling shot, but it's easily pushed away by Jehle before it can find the back of the net.
28'
Spain come back once again and set up Isco to cut inside from the left wing and shoot, but his swinging effort is well saved by Jehle in the middle of the Liechtenstein goal.
26'
Morata scores, but it's ruled out for offside! A lovely swinging cross in from the left wing perfectly sets up Morata to beat Jehle with another great header, but the linesman's flag is quickly raised just as the striker is about to start celebrating. It was a close call, but it look as if another decision that the official's got wrong.
24'
What a strange decision by the linesman! Ramos charges down the right wing and latches onto a lofted pass in a good position, but he's somehow flagged offside despite being at least five yards onside.
22'
Michele Polverino is caught in possession inside his own penalty area and is quickly put under pressure by Pedro, but the Spaniard ends up fouling him from behind as the two battle for the ball, resulting in a free-kick for Liechtenstein - and, most importantly, a chance to breathe.
20'
Another clumsy clearance bounces off Isco and almost sets up Morata to go one-on-one with Jehle, but, luckily for the home side, the ball bounces into the hands of the goalkeeper before the striker can get to it.
18'
Nicolas Hasler, who hasn't had a touch of the ball yet, charges down the right channel as he tries to latch onto a hopeful ball forward, but he's unable to do so and David De Gea is easily able to deal with the danger with his first touch of the evening.
16'
Isco has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Álvaro Morata.
That was one of the easiest assists Morata will ever pick up, and that goal was all down to Jehle. The goalkeeper completely messed up his attempted clearance and put the ball on a plate for the visitors.
GOAL! What a terrible mistake by Jehle! The goalkeeper completely misses the ball, allowing it to roll over to Morata. The Chelsea man quickly knocks the ball to Isco, who shoots from the edge of the box and is easily able to pile more misery on the home side with an incredibly simple goal.
15'
Álvaro Morata has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by Andrés Iniesta.
GOAL! It's 2-0! Spain win another corner, this time over on the right flank, and it's one that finds Ramos in a dangerous position. His header is deflected behind for yet another corner, which is sent short before a curling cross sets up Morata to beat Jehle with another excellent glancing header. It's proving to be another easy night for Spain.
That really was a wonderful cross in from the right by Andres Iniesta, but, once again, Liechtenstein didn't do well enough to deal with the several white shirts in front of goal, all of whom were left in too much space.
13'
Silva's cross in from the corner is a good one and manages to pick out Morata in the heart of the penalty area, but the striker can't keep his header down and sends it high over the top of the crossbar.
12'
A misplaced clearance can only find Sergio Busquets, who then quickly kick-starts another Spain attack. It fails to result in a chance on goal though, as Liechtenstein have plenty of bodies over on the left wing and are able to poke the ball out for a corner.
10'
A clever run into the left-hand side of the hosts' box sets up Thiago Alcantara to cut a pass back to Silva. He does so and manages to pick out the Manchester City man, but the latter's first touch is a poor one and denies him an opportunity to get a shot away.
8'
Almost a chance on goal for Dennis Salanovic! Nacho Monreal cheaply loses possession over on the right flank and allows the Liechtenstein winger to burst forward. He does well to break into the box and then takes on Gerard Pique, who comes out on top and clears the danger, despite a heavy first touch.
7'
Silva, who is looking dangerous over on the left flank, cuts into the penalty area and fizzes a dangerous pass across the face of goal. It looks set to find Morata, but, despite his best efforts, the striker can't quite reach the ball.
5'
Great save by Jehle! Isco picks up the ball over on the left-hand side of the box after good play by Silva and Alvaro Morata. The Real Madrid man takes a quick touch and shoots, but his curling effort is pushed away by an acrobatic diving stop from Jehle.
3'
Sergio Ramos has scored a goal for Spain! Assist by David Silva.
GOAL! Spain have opened the scoring! A scuffed attempted clearance causes all sorts of problems for the Liechtenstein defence and allows the ball to bounce over to Pedro, who is clattered into by Martin Buchel and wins Spain an early free-kick out wide. David Silva steps up and whips a cross into the middle of the box, where Sergio Ramos rises high and easily beats Peter Jehle.
Silva's cross into the penalty area was a great one, but the Liechtenstein defence really should have done better to deal with it. Jehle should have rushed out to meet the ball, but instead he stayed on his line and ended up being easily beaten.
1'
We're off! Spain get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s World Cup 2018 qualifier between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark Stadion.
Spain find themselves in an excellent position heading into the final three games of the qualifying campaign thanks to Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Italy. The two teams had been battling hard at the top of Group G in search of the only available automatic qualification spot, and it now looks set to go to La Furia Roja if they’re able to avoid suffering any late collapses in what has been a brilliant campaign for them.
The 2010 world champions were devastatingly effective at the Bernabeu, with Isco running the show and causing all sorts of problems for Italy’s struggling defence. The Real Madrid man is set to start again tonight, and he’ll be aiming to add to the two goals he bagged on the weekend as Spain attempt to pick up a 48th win in their last 61 World Cup qualifiers - none of which have ended in defeats.
As is often the case, Liechtenstein currently sit bottom of the qualifying group without a single point after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat away to Albania. San Marino, Malta and Gibraltar have also failed to put any points on the board yet, but Liechtenstein’s inability to score more than one goal (in a defeat against Israel last October) means they are officially the worst team in qualifying right now.
Spain easily came away as 8-0 winners when the two teams met in Leon last year, and they look certain to pick up a similarly comprehensive victory here tonight. Not only have Liechtenstein never managed to beat their opponents, they are yet to score a goal against them, with Spain managing to fire in 31 in seven meetings. As a result, it could end up being a long night for Rene Pauritsch’s men.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Spain XI (3-4-3): De Gea; Ramos, Pique, Monreal; Thiago, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro; Isco, Morata, Silva.
Rene Pauritsch has decided to make just one change to the Liechtenstein side that started the defeat away to Albania, with Michele Polverino coming into the starting line-up to replace Yanik Frick.
Meanwhile, Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has made four alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Saul and Marco Asensio making way for Nacho Monreal, Thiago Alcantara, Pedro and Alvaro Morata.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: LIECHTENSTEIN 0-4 SPAIN
As expected, it's been as easy as you like for Spain, who are comfortably 4-0 up and heading for yet another easy victory. Liechtenstein started badly and continued to struggle from then onwards, and they're lucky to not be further behind after Morata had a perfectly good goal wrongly ruled out for offside. If it remains like this in the second half, the visitors may well reach double figures.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: LIECHTENSTEIN 0-8 SPAIN
Spain were always going to leave the Rheinpark Stadion with a comfortable win, and that's exactly what they managed to do thanks to a determined performance all-round. Liechtenstein went behind early on and really struggled from then onwards, and the only positive they can take away from the experience is that they defended relatively well for most of the second half to stop the visitors from reaching double figures.
Commentary
More…