Spain leapfrogged Slovakia to the top of Euro 2016 qualification Group C when a rare Jordi Alba header set the holders on their way to a serene 2-0 victory over the Eastern Europeans in Oviedo on Saturday.
One of the smallest men on the pitch, Alba nodded past Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik from David Silva's beautifully executed cross in only the fifth minute and Andres Iniesta made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after half an hour after Kozacik felled Diego Costa in the area.
Spain ruthlessly dominated possession and restricted the visitors, who surprised them 2-1 in Zilina in October, to the odd counter attack, when they were unable to cause too much trouble for keeper Iker Casillas, making his 100th appearance as captain.
With seven of 10 matches played, Spain and Slovakia each have 18 points, with the Spanish top due to a better head-to-head record. Ukraine, who won 3-1 at home to Belarus earlier on Saturday, are third on 15 points.
Spain travel to Skopje to play bottom side Macedonia in their next qualifier on Tuesday, when Slovakia host Ukraine.
"It was very important to win to put ourselves in a good position in the group," Iniesta told Spanish television.
"Job done," added the Barcelona midfielder. "We played a pretty complete match and now it's on to the next one."
Ukraine beat Belarus
KIEV: Ukraine secured a comfortable 3-1 win in their European Championship qualifier at home to neighbours Belarus on Saturday to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish in Group C and a spot at Euro 2016.
Ukraine are third on 15 points, three behind leaders Spain who moved ahead of second-placed Slovakia by virtue of a better head-to-head record thanks to a 2-0 win over their closest rivals later on Saturday.
The Ukrainians visit Slovakia on Tuesday.
Ukraine took the lead after seven minutes when a defensive blunder from their midfielder Maxim Volodko allowed Artem Kravets to race into the penalty area and beat the keeper with a low shot into the far corner.
Visiting keeper Andrey Gorbunov denied the hosts numerous goal-scoring chances in the first half but could not prevent Ukraine doubling their lead after 30 minutes when he diverted the ball into the path of Andriy Yarmolenko who steered it into the empty net from close range.
Swiss seal 'crazy' win
BASEL: Switzerland, having looked as if they could play all night without scoring, struck three times in a remarkable last 14 minutes to come from 2-0 down and beat Slovenia 3-2 in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday.
Milivoje Novakovic and Bostjan Cesar netted either side of halftime as Slovenia took control of the Group E game against the error-prone hosts who were jeered off at halftime.
But two goals from Josip Drmic, including the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and one by fellow substitute Valentin Stocker gave the Swiss a memorable victory.
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