WCQ : Isco the hero as Spain rout Italy

• Isco (13', 40')
 
• Álvaro Morata (77')

Two first-half goals from Isco set Spain on course for a big WCQ win in Madrid. His virtuoso display, capped by Alvaro Morata's late goal, put La Roja three points clear in Group G and well on course for World Cup 2018

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Isco scored twice as Spain beat Italy 3-0 at the Bernabeu to move clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group G.

The Real Madrid midfielder clipped in a free-kick after 13 minutes before doubling Spain's lead with a low strike five minutes before half-time.

Although Italy, who had not lost a qualifying tie for a major championships since September 2006, improved for the second half, they lacked a cutting edge in attack.

Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata came off the bench to put the result beyond doubt when he tapped in a cross from captain Sergio Ramos with 13 minutes left.

Spain deployed Manchester City midfielder David Silva in the false nine role, but had the likes of £60million front man Morata and recalled veteran David Villa, now playing in Major Soccer League in reserve on the bench.

Despite the lack of a regular centre forward, Spain did not have to wait long for their first goal.

Leonardo Bonucci was somewhat fortunate to only be shown a yellow card for fouling Marco Asensio as the Madrid man looked to race into the area.

From the resulting free-kick, some 22 yards out, Isco curled the ball over the wall and into the top left corner, past the reach of Gianluigi Buffon, who was making his 170th international appearance.

The Real Madrid midfielder then slammed in from distance to edge Spain towards qualification for the 2018 finals in Russia

Italy almost got back on level terms straight away when Andrea Belotti's header brought a fine save from Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Spain, though, continued to look dangerous as their front line rotated.

Gerard Pique headed over a cross from Koke before Dani Carvajal's effort was deflected behind.

A second goal eventually arrived five minutes before the break.

The ball was worked down the left and then back into the middle by Andres Iniesta, who picked out Isco.

The midfielder cut inside a couple of Azzurri shirts to the edge of the box before dispatching a low, left-footed shot into the bottom right corner as Buffon was beaten again.

Italy regrouped for the second half and provided a much sterner rearguard for Spain to break down as well as offering more in the final third themselves.

Lorenzo Insigne tested De Gea before Belotti headed over from a corner.

Spain, though, remained a threat on the break and Isco sent Dani Carvajal clear, but Buffon was able to get a hand to his attempted chip.

Morata was introduced after 72 minutes in place of Andres Iniesta - and five minutes later scored the third goal of the night

With 20 minutes left, Iniesta was replaced by Morata and the substitute made an instant impact to end any hopes of an Italian recovery.

Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci was booked before the Isco free kick, meaning he misses the next qualifier on Tuesday

Morata laid the ball off to Ramos on the right, and the captain ran down the line before clipping a pass back across the face of goal for the Spain number nine to knock in at the far post.

A long-range effort from Atalanta defender Leonardo Spinazzola forced De Gea into an acrobatic stop before Morata nodded in from 10 yards, but the offside flag was already up.

With three matches left, Spain are now three points clear of Italy, who look set to have to come through the play-offs to qualify for Russia.

Spain (4-3-3): De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta (Morata 72), Koke; David Silva, Isco (Villa 89), Asensio (Saul Niguez 79) 

Unused subs: Reina, Arrizabalaga, Nacho, Monreal, Azpilicueta, Alcantara, Pedro, Deulofeu, Aspas

Italy (4-4-2): Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Barzagli, Spinazzola; Candreva (Bernardeschi 70), De Rossi, Verratti, Insigne; Belotti (Eder 70), Immobile (Gabbiadini 78)

Unused subs: Donnarumma, Perin, Rugani, Astori, Pellegrini, Conti, D'Ambrosio, Parolo, El Shaarawy

Bookings: Verratti 4, Bonucci 12 

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil tells critics: 'Stop talking and start supporting'

Mesut Ozil has told those who would criticise both him and Arsenal to "stop talking and start supporting."

To mark the fourth anniversary since he arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, Ozil took to social media to discuss his time at the Emirates Stadium.

The Germany international has often come in for criticism since joining Arsenal, with his work rate and body language questioned, but he called on pundits to get behind him and the team rather than point the finger.

"Personally I've had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London," he wrote. "'Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight' -- this is what people have said about me.

"Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players -- both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club.

"Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends -- my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting!"

Ozil cuts a dejected figure during the Gunners' 4-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool

Arsenal have faced plenty of criticism in recent weeks following a poor start to the season and a frustrating transfer window.

But Ozil, currently on international duty with Germany, feels there is plenty to be celebrated at the Emirates Stadium.

"During the last couple of days my DFB [Germany] teammates have been asking me about how everything is at Arsenal at the moment," he wrote. "They claimed to have read about the current crisis through the media, as pundits and former players are commenting on a daily basis. They say that this could be the worst team in years, even decades.

Ozil is currently away on international duty with Germany but he is aware of the criticism

"I'm writing this text together with people that are close to me, and we've got something to celebrate. Although no match was won, or trophy was lifted today, Arsenal and I are celebrating our anniversary! Four years ago I was transferred in a last minute deal from Real Madrid to Arsenal -- Arsene Wenger convinced me.

"He told me about the great history of this club, about its living legends such [Dennis] Bergkamp, [Patrick] Vieira and [Robert] Pires, who owe a large part of their success to the manager. Arsene told me how he would help me to develop as a player, and this is something every player wants to hear, as it is great encouragement."

Ozil added: "We have achieved a lot in our four years together. Three of the 13 FA Cup victories have been accomplished in the past four years, with the other 10 taking 75 years for the club to win. This is in addition to our three Community Shield wins. After all, six titles in four years is quite something.

"However, this only makes myself and the team even more disappointed for not playing a role in the title race at the end of last season -- this is something we hope to change this year."

Ozil's long-term future remains unclear given he is out of contract with Arsenal at the end of the season and has so far yet to agree to an extension.

But he says whatever is to come, he is proud to play for Arsenal and is looking forward to the season ahead.

When Arsenal fail to perform it is often Ozil who is made a scapegoat by sections of the media

"Even though I personally do not know how my career will continue after this year, I look forward to my fifth season with Arsenal," he wrote. "This is because Arsenal is a great club with great people and great traditions.

"I am glad to be able to wear your shirt, Gooners. I've had so many great moments in the last four years and I really appreciate what this club means to the people of London, the UK and all over the world."

WC Q : England belasah Malta 4-0

Harry Kane scored twice as England ran out to a 4-0 win at Malta to stay atop Group F.

England are two points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group F

After a frustrating first half, Kane found the opened on 53 minutes after he was played in on goal by Tottenham teammate Dele Alli.

England added gloss to the scorline late on, as Bertrand's long-range shot took a slight deflection and eluded the dive of goalkeeper Andrew Hogg in the 86 minutes.

Danny Welbeck added a third in stoppage time when he latched on to Kane's lofted through ball ahead of the Maltese goalkeeper, before Kane added his second of the night by running onto Marcus Rashford's long pass.

WC Q : DENMARK 4-0 Poland

Penjaring Gol : Thomas Delaney '16 Andreas Cornelius '42 N.Jorgensen '59 Christian Eriksen '80

Pacesetters Poland are now only three points ahead of Montenegro and Denmark after their first defeat in the section. Christian Eriksen was the thorn in their side, delivering a corner that Thomas Delaney headed in before crossing for Andreas Cornelius to volley in the second before the break. Nicolai Jørgensen slid in the third before Eriksen curled in a stunning fourth to throw the group wide open.

Denmark’s Thomas Delaney celebrates scoring, during the World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match between Denmark and Poland at Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. (Jens Dresling/Ritzau via AP) (Associated Press)

WC Q : Mats Hummels nets late winner for Germany

Germany needed a late winner to beat Czech Rep

Mats Hummels scored in the 88th minute to keep Germany perfect in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win at Czech Republic on Friday night.

Germany needed fewer than four minutes to find the breakthrough as Mesut Ozil played in Timo Werner, who took a touch before scoring.

But Germany could not widen their advantage and the hosts made them pay as Vladimir Darida's shot from the top of the box got past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

A draw seemed to be on the cards before Hummels found the winner with a header following a late set piece, and Germany maintained their 100 percent record through seven games.

Bad to worse for Alexis Sanchez as Paraguay upset Chile after Arsenal star's Man City deadline day debacle

Alexis Sanchez has had a day to forget.

The Arsenal star could only receive updates from England as Arsenal and Manchester City's failed to agree on the move to the Etihad that he wanted.

Then his Chile side were beaten 3-0 by Paraguay in 2018 World Cup qualifying.

It should have been the chance for Sanchez to vent his frustration but instead it was more disappointment.

The opener came through an own goal from Arturo Vidal in the 24th minute before Victor Caceres added a second for Paraguay 10 minutes into the second half.

And Richard Ortiz put the cherry on top with a third in the third minute of time added on.

The defeat puts Chile in a precarious position in the South American group.

Sanchez was close to a move to the Etihad with Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis telling City counterpart Ferran Soriano that their £60m offer had been accepted.

But that was when Gazidis and the Gunners thought their had a replacement line up in Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

When that deal didn't go through, Arsenal pulled the pin altogether

France thrash Holland 4-0 in World Cup qualifier

Antoine Griezmann 14

Thomas Lemar 73

Thomas Lemar 88

Kylian Mbappe-Lottin 90 +0:40

Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappe underlined why they have had Europe's top sides chasing them all summer as they scored three goals between them in France's crushing 4-0 victory over Holland in a World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France.

© Franck Fife, AFP | France's Thomas Lemar celebrstes scoring against the Netherlands

Lemar, who has been tracked by Liverpool and Arsenal in the close season, scored two goals after Antoine Griezmann's first-half strike, the first of them a peach of a volley from the edge of the area.