Reigning champions Italy eased to a 4-0 victory over Malta in Euro 2024 qualifying on Saturday
Alvaro Morata's double at the Ta'Qali stadium gives Spain two wins from two in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Italy dominated from the outset at the Ta'Qal stadium but ultimately failed to turn chances into goals as Malta, who saw Michael Mifsud sent off before the half hour, kept bodies in defence for long periods and sought to break on the counter-attack. Graziano Pelle, making his international debut, scored the only goal of the game in the first half.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will leave the selection of his starting line-up for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Group B's bottom side Malta until the last minute.
Fresh off a rousing comeback against Brazil in a friendly, Cesare Prandelli's Italy side face a trip to Malta on Tuesday as they look to extend their lead over Bulgaria in Group B and move one step closer to World Cup qualification.
Mattia Destro's maiden international goal and an own-goal from Andrew Cohen made the difference as Italy kickstarted their stuttering 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with an unconvincing 2-0 win over Malta in Modena.