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UEFA World Cup qualifying: Italy edges Macedonia, Spain eases past Albania

FYR Macedonia v Italy - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier

SKOPJE, MACEDONIA - OCTOBER 09: Andrea Belotti of Italy (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between FYR Macedonia and Italy at Nacionalna Arena Filip II Makedonski on October 9, 2016 in Skopje, Macedonia. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

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One of Europe’s top sides needed a late strike to get past a surprisingly competitive Macedonia side.

[ MORE: England adds keeper Pickford following Heaton injury ]

Ciro Immobile’s brace in the final quarter hour helped Italy rescued a victory against Macedonia during their 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon.

Immobile scored in the 75th and 91st minutes for the Italians, which helped them avoid a potentially disastrous result.

Despite Andrea Belotti’s first-half finish for the Azzurri, it was Macedonia that opened the second half on the front foot. Goals from Ilija Nestoroski and Ferhan Hasani handed the hosts the lead within a span of three minutes, before Immobile rescued the Italians.

Spain pulled off a 2-0 win against Albania behind second-half finishes from Diego Costa and Nolito on the road.

Nacho Monreal played a quick pass to Nolito on left wing for Spain’s second in the 63rd minute, which puts La Furia Roja back atop Group G on seven points. The Manchester City attacker made a brilliant move to cut back against a defender, before slotting his effort past goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.

Following a crucial mistake from the Albania backline, Diego Costa gave the Spaniards the advantage after halftime when David Silva played a simple ball across the center of the box for the Chelsea striker to smash home.

Elsewhere around Europe:

Group D

Wales 1-1 Georgia

Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland

Serbia 3-2 Austria

Group G

Israel 2-1 Liechtenstein

Group I

Iceland 2-0 Turkey

Finland 0-1 Croatia

Ukraine 3-0 Kosovo