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Spain fail to avenge Euro 2016 defeat to Italy

Oct 07, 2016

Spain have failed to avenge their Euro 2016 defeat to Italy, after both sides played out a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier in Turin.

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi scored a penalty 8 minutes from time to cancel out Vitolo's lead for Spain, and extend the Azzurri's unbeaten run in qualifiers to 52 games.

The draw means the 2 football giants have 4 points each, behind Group G leaders Albania, who beat Liechtenstein 2-0 for their 2nd straight win.

Meanwhile, Stoke City star Marko Arnautovic scored twice to help Austria draw 2-2 with Wales, leaving both teams with 4 points each in Group D.

However, Wales still lead the group with a better goal difference, as there's a 4-way tie, with the Republic of Ireland and Serbia also having 4 points each, after winning their respective matches.

Ireland's Seamus Coleman scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Georgia, while Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic was on target in Serbia's 3-0 win over Moldova.

Over in Group I, Euro 2016 heroes Iceland scored 2 late goals to claim a 3-2 win over Finland.

This, as Kosovo were given a football lesson in just their second competitive fixture, as they were hammered 6-0 by Croatia.

The game was dubbed their first home fixture, but was played in neighbouring Albania because Kosovo lacked infrastructure.

Governing bodies UEFA and FIFA admitted Kosovo as a member in May, and in September they drew their first competitive fixture 1-1 in Finland.

In the Asian qualifiers, Syria have dented China's bid to reach a second World Cup, after the war-torn nation won their qualifier 1-0.

China have ambitions of hosting and even winning a World Cup, but now have just a point from 3 games in Group A.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's Son Heung-min scored the winning goal in South Korea's 3-2 victory over Qatar, who will host the World Cup in 2022.

Elsewhere, reigning 2-time Copa America champions Chile are in danger of not qualifying for the World Cup, after a 3-0 lost to Ecuador in the South American qualifiers.