Spain draw with four Barça players in the team

Spain draw with four Barça players in the team

The national team, with Piqué, Jordi Alba, Busquets and Iniesta in the starting eleven draw one-all against Italy

Julen Lopetegui's national team has drawn 1-1 against Italy in the qualification rounds for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Spain started with four FC Barcelona stars, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta, in the starting line-up with all except Alba, who came off injured in the 21st minute, completing the full game. The injury put a sour note on what was the Barça full-backs 50th appearance for his country. Sergi Roberto, the final Barça player called up to the squad was an unused substitute.

Lopetegui's men dominated the first-half in Turin with Iniesta playing a crucial role in the team's attacking play. However, the goal failed to arrive and Gianluigi Buffon held firm in the home teams goal in the face of some impressive build-up play and over 70% possession.

In the second forty-five minutes the breakthrough arrived thanks to Vitolo who finished from a Busquets pass, after a rare mistake by the vastly experienced Juventus keeper. Sevilla's winger had the opportunity to double the lead and his own personal tally but he shot just wide.

When Spain looked like they might head home with all three points from the Juventus Stadium Italy popped up with the equaliser. Sergio Ramos fouled Eder in the box and De Rossi made no mistake to earn the Italians a point.

This result leaves both Italy and Spain on four points in Group G, with Albania leading on six.

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