Spain trounces Israel 4-1 in World Cup qualifier
Match held with heavy security amid concerns over BDS protests; Israel slips 4 points behind heavyweights Italy, Spain
Spain defeated Israel in a World Cup qualifying match in the city of Gijon on Friday, extending its lead in the Group G of European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
The match was held amid heavy security due to planned protests by anti-Israel demonstrators and supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
The Israeli team wore black ribbons on their arms during the game, in memory of sports newscaster Meir Einstein who died Thursday night.
Spain was in control from the start against Israel, picking up the easy victory to open a four-point gap to the Israelis.
David Silva opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a close-range shot after a nice pass by Jordi Alba through the legs of a defender, and Victor “Vitolo” Machin added to the lead in first-half stoppage time with another shot from inside the area.
Diego Costa scored the third goal early in the second half with a header off a corner, and substitute Francisco “Isco” Alarcon added the fourth just before the final whistle.
Israel rarely got near the Spanish area, getting its lone goal with a shot from inside the box by Lior Refaelov in the 76th.
Refaelov had forced Spain goalkeeper David de Gea to make a superb save on a header before halftime in the only time Israel significantly threatened the hosts in the first period.
Defeat saw Israel slip four points behind the two Group G heavyweights with five games left to play and only the pool winners guaranteed a place at Russia 2018.