Morata double sees off Malta

Manager Luis Enrique, who was absent from the match due to ‘family problems’, named a much-changed starting XI. A number of fresh faces featured, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mario Hermoso, Sergio Canales and Bernat. Malta, meanwhile, were looking to avoid a repeat of their infamous 12-1 defeat to Spain in qualifying for Euro 1984, and at least made an improvement on that scoreline.

The tone of the match remained unchanged throughout, with Spain attacking while Malta defended in numbers. Saul had the best chances of the opening period, and the Atletico Madrid man slammed a shot just wide from the edge of the area before inexplicably firing over from 12 yards just minutes later.

Morata broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, grabbing his first of the game by getting on the end of a searching long ball and hitting a left-footed strike through the Malta goalkeeper’s legs. Spain did not threaten again until the second period, with the Maltese defence holding surprisingly firm. Marco Asensio saw a couple of chances come and go early on in the half, before Morata doubled the lead from the veteran Jesus Navas’ inch-perfect cross.

Ramos saw two long shots narrowly miss the target as the match drew to a close, and Malta finally had their first shot of the game on 87 minutes with a strike from 40 yards out which ballooned over.

Spain's newcomers struggled to impress, although the likes of Morata and Navas will leave this match with their reputations enhanced. Malta, on the other hand, will be happy to have produced a relatively solid defensive performance to keep the scoreline at 2-0.