Italy kept Spain from opening a significant advantage atop Group G by scoring two late goals and salvaging a 3-2 win at Macedonia on Sunday in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Spain got off to a slow start at Albania but eased to a 2-0 victory behind second-half goals by Diego Costa and Manuel "Nolito" Agudo. Italy needed an injury-time goal by Ciro Immobile to secure the hard-fought win that allowed it to join Spain atop the group with seven points. Only the group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup in Russia. "It was a great response by the team as far as character is concerned," Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura said.

Source: CBC News October 09, 2016 23:26 UTC