Fortunate Spain edge Macedonia to top Group C

Spain climbed above Slovakia to the top of Group C after a fortuitous early goal saw off a plucky Macedonia side.

Juan Mata’s cross looped over the hapless Tome Pacovski and into the net via a combination of far post and keeper to give the visitors an eighth minute lead.

It would be a lead Spain would not relinquish. But they were a shadow of their former selves and created very little else to worry the Macedonia keeper besides a Dani Carvejal cross that cannoned off the bar.

Despite the nature of victory, Spain are now two points clear of Slovakia who could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Ukraine.

8’ – GOAL! Macedonia 0-1 Spain: desperately unlucky for Macedonia as Juan Mata’s cross loops over the keeper and in via a combination of woodwork and keeper. Goes down as an OG but that’s slightly harsh.

42’ – CARVAJAL HITS THE BAR: Almost an action replay of the goal as he crosses from the same position and the keeper again watches it curl over his head and cannon back off the bar. Bizarre!

48’ – HASANI CLOSE! He’s brought down right on the edge of the Spain box before clipping his free kick just over De Gea’s bar.

71’ – PACO GOAL RULED OUT: He beats Pacovski from a tight angle but the flag is up for offside, perhaps wrongly.

Andres Iniesta comes on for his 106th appearance for Spain.

Spain have now won all three matches they have played against Macedonia.

Did Mata mean it? It was either a great bit of opportunism or mishit cross that gave Spain the lead. Let's be honest, the latter seems much more likely.

Hasani (Macedonia): Full of running all evening and twice came close to scoring an unlikely goal for his side.

Macedonia: Pacovski 6, Brdarovski 6, Sikov 6, Ristevski 6, Zhuta 7, Askovski 6, Gligorov 6, Petrovikj 7, Hasani 8, Radeski 6, Inanovski 7. Subs: Ibraimi 6, Bardi 6, Trajkovski 6.

Spain: De Gea 6, Carvajal 7, Ramos 6, Piqué 6, Bernat 6, Busquets 6, Cazorla 6, Isco 6, Mata 7, Silva 7, Diego Costa 5. Subs: Iniesta 6, Koke 6, Paco 6.