Italy kept pace with Spain in European World Cup qualifying as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon played his 1,000th professional match in a 2-0 victory over Albania on Friday. A first-half Daniele De Rossi penalty and late second from Ciro Immobile was enough to earn the Azzurri three points but they remain behind Spain on goal difference at the top of Group G after La Rioja downed Israel 4-1.
Manchester City forward David Silva and Chelsea's Diego Costa were on the scoresheet alongside Vitolo and Isco, while Lior Refaelov netted Israel's consolation. In Palermo it was a day for Buffon to savour as he won a European record 168th cap and helped Italy extend their unbeaten run in qualifiers to 55 matches (41 wins, 14 draws).
Spain had their game wrapped up by half-time in Gijon as Silva drove home a pass from Jordi Alba before Vitolo's shot in first half injury time squirmed under Israel goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. Diego Costa headed home a Thiago Alcantara corner on 51 minutes. In the other group game, Macedonia got their first points of the qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win at Liechtenstein, who remain pointless.
Serbia moved top of the group after coming from behind to win 3-1 in Georgia. Serbia now lead the Republic on goal difference with Wales and Austria, 2-0 winners over Moldova, four points behind. Croatia went three points clear at the top of Group I with a 1-0 victory over Ukraine courtesy of Nikola Kalinic's goal seven minutes from half-time. A brace from Cenk Tosun kept Turkey's qualifying hopes alive as they beat Finland 2-0 to stay fourth, five points off Croatia.
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