Spain made it three wins from their three Euro 2020 qualification matches with a 4-1 victory over Faroe Islands in Friday night's Group F clash at the Torsvollur Stadium.
La Roja were far from their best against the fourth smallest UEFA country by population, but still had more than enough to put another three points on the board.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Euro 2020 qualifier between Faroe Islands and Spain from Torshavn. Spain have overcome Norway and Malta in their two Group F fixtures thus far and will be the overwhelming favourites to beat a Faroe Islands side that are listed 102nd in the FIFA rankings. Stay tuned for live text coverage of the action!
TEAMS!
FAROE ISLANDS: Gestsson; Rolantsson, Gregersen, Faero, Davidsen; Hendriksson, Vatnsdal, Hansson; Frederiksberg, Olsen, Vatnhamar
SPAIN: Kepa; Navas, Ramos, Hermoso, Gaya; Roberto, Rodri, Cazorla; Aspas, Morata, Isco
Santi Cazorla's inclusion was the standout news when the Spain squad was announced. Indeed, the midfielder is back in the selection for the first time since November 2015 after finally managing to put his injury hell behind him. The midfielder starts tonight in a team which also includes Jesus Navas, Mario Hermoso, Jose Gapa and Iago Aspas. Sergio Ramos is also fit despite missing the latter stages of the 2018-19 campaign due to a hamstring problem.
As for Faroe Islands, Hallur Hansson again starts in an advanced midfield role in support of lone forward Klaemint Olsen. There are also spots in the XI for Solvi Vatnhamar and Arni Frederiksberg, while 36-year-old Atli Gregersen captains the team from the back. Hansson is actually the leading scorer in the squad with four goals, which is an indication of the size of the task facing the home side tonight. Kickoff inside this tiny stadium is now just moments away!
The national anthems have been sung, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. We are just about ready to get this Euro 2020 qualifier underway!
KICKOFF: Spain kick things off here...
... this is very strange. It is almost like a training game with scaffolding around the pitch and cars seen in the background. As expected, Spain are dominating the early possession here.
Spain turned down the chance to train on the artificial pitch in the build-up to the match, with interim head coach Robert Moreno refusing to put his players at risk of picking up an injury ahead of the contest. No chances to report early on despite the team in red dominating the ball.
GOAL! FAROE ISLANDS 0-1 SPAIN (RAMOS)
That did not take long then! Spain make the breakthrough in the fifth minute as Ramos rises inside the Faroe Islands box to head a Navas cross into the bottom corner. Easy as you like!
To be honest, this score will be whatever Spain want it to be. Faroe Islands are doing their best to close the space but it keeps getting popped around the corner and more space opens up.
Gaya has all sorts of space down the left and delivers a decent cross towards Roberto, but it goes behind for a goal kick. Gestsson kicks down the field but it comes straight back.
SHOT! Hermoso shoots from serious distance but it is comfortable for Gestsson.
Morata goes down inside the box under a challenge from Faero, but the referee is not interested. It was not the best of challenges from the number five. On second look, it is probably a penalty as he did not get anywhere near the ball and caught Morata's standing foot.
Spain recorded a 6-2 victory away to the Faroe Islands back in September 1996 - it would not be a surprise to see La Roja score six tonight, but it would be a shock to see them concede twice.
Never mind a back four, Spain are playing with a back two here as Gaya and Navas take positions high up the field. That said, it is still only 1-0 with 16 minutes on the clock. Loads and loads of ball possession for the visitors, but they are not really creating too much here.
OFF THE LINE! Super defending from Gregersen to head a Ramos effort off the line. The pressure continues with another cross into the box but this time Gestsson is on hand to make the clearance.
SHOT! Ramos drops his shoulder inside the Faroe Islands box before striking towards goal, but his effort is wide of the target. Couple of good chances for the away side in quick succession.
GOAL! FAROE ISLANDS 0-2 SPAIN (NAVAS)
Spain have their second as Navas finds all sorts of space in a dangerous position before driving into the home side's box and picking out the bottom corner. Far too easy for La Roja there.
Gaya has a shot blocked just inside the home side's box as Spain continue to force the issue. Faroe Islands just cannot get out of their own half despite their best efforts here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes but the possession still belongs to Spain. It is like watching a very one-sided training exercise at the moment.
Gaya's low cross into the home side's box is poor but Spain are back on the attack moments later and Cazorla has a shot blocked outside the box. Still 1-0 with 26 minutes on the clock.
Again it is smart defending from the home side's captain, who gets in the way of both Morata and Aspas after Gaya had delivered a dangerous cross. The number four has been good here.
Navas has to head behind for a Faroe Islands corner with Vatnhamar finding all sorts of space in a dangerous position before delivering towards the far post. Warning for Spain there!
GOAL! FAROE ISLANDS 1-2 SPAIN (OLSEN)
What a moment! Faroe Islands score as Faero's near-post header is flicked into the back of the net by Olsen! Not sure about the defending from Spain, but it was a fine goal!
Spain have had all of the ball since the home side scored, but no chances to report. Faroe Islands will be absolutely delighted with what has happened in the first 32 minutes here.
GOAL! FAROE ISLANDS 1-3 SPAIN (GESTSSON OG)
So unfortunate! Spain have a third as Isco's curling strike hits the post before bouncing against Faroe Islands goalkeeper Gestsson and into the back of the net. It is so, so unlucky!
Well, entertainment-wise, this has been terrific! Faroe Islands are committing so many numbers forward which is making for a brilliant game as Spain have so much space in the final third.
SAVE! Very smart save from Gestsson this time to keep out a powerful strike from Cazorla, who did not need a second invitation to strike after the space opened up. Spain want a fourth.
Navas works a yard of space before delivering low into the Faroe Islands box but again it is good work from the home side's goalkeeper. Still 3-1 as we approach the latter stages of the first period.
Spain force another corner as Isco has a shot deflected behind, but the ball is played short and eventually the danger is cleared. Faroe Islands are having to defend their own box here.
SAVE! Smart save from Gestsson to prevent the ball from finding the bottom corner after Isco's cross had been deflected towards his own goal by Gregersen. Spain want more goals here.
Brilliant moment for the home side tonight...
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HALF TIME: FAROE ISLANDS 1-3 SPAIN
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Spain leading Faroe Islands 3-1 on the night. It has been a very entertaining opening 45 minutes of football, with both teams deserving credit for some good moments. So far, so good for both sides here.
STATISTICS! Spain had 71% of the possession in the first period, while they managed 11 attempts, four of which were on target. Faroe Islands only had the one attempt, but that found the back of the net. No yellow cards to report here - there has hardly been a challenge!
BENCH WATCH! Asensio, Busquets, Rodrigo and Parejo are amongst those on the Spain bench tonight and it will be interesting to see what interim head coach Moreno has in mind. Faroe Islands, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Bartalstovu, Johannesen and Andreasen.
KICKOFF: Faroe Islands resume the action here...
SPAIN SUB! Diego Llorente has replaced Ramos at the break.
YELLOW CARD! Navas (Spain) is booked for an elbow on Hansson.
CLOSE! Half-chance for Faroe Islands as Olsen flashes a header just wide of the Spain post. The home side are certainly a threat with set pieces into the Spain box tonight.
Cazorla is now wearing the captain's armband for Spain, which is fitting. The Villarreal midfielder has been brilliant tonight and it is wonderful to see him back at this level of football.
Faroe Islands win another free kick in a decent position following good work from Hansson, who has shown a number of nice touches tonight. Sorensen is standing over the set piece here...
SHOT! ... Frederiksberg strikes just over the Spain crossbar.
Spain have been quite untidy in the early stages of the second period, which is encouraging the home side forward. Surely there are more goals in this Euro 2020 qualifier.
Faroe Islands are actually the fourth smallest UEFA country by population, while as mentioned, they currently sit 102nd in the FIFA rankings. The hosts are giving a good account of themselves tonight, though, with Spain struggling to get things going at the moment.
SPAIN SUB! Asensio replaces Aspas for the away side.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and not too much is happening at the moment. Navas continues to find space down the right for Spain but Faroe Islands continue to defend high balls into their penalty box. Olsen must be pleased with his team tonight.
Isco is doing his best to create for Spain...
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SAVE! Kepa is down to keep out a low strike from Gregersen, moments after Faroe Islands had a shout for a penalty with Rodri looking to handle. Another good moment for the home side.
Spain have been poor in the second period - their level has really dropped. Faroe Islands look the team likelier to score at the moment as they continue to commit players forward here.
Morata has a cross blocked as Spain attempt to work a chance. No suggestion of any changes for Faroe Islands at the moment, but there are certainly some tired legs out there.
Olsen looks to have a problem for the home side after a challenge from Llorente, but the number 11 is fit to continue after a bit of treatment. Little over 20 minutes remaining here.
CLOSE! Isco curls over the Faroe Islands crossbar with a strike from just outside the box.
FAROE ISLANDS SUB! Olsen is replaced by Johannesen for the home side.
Spain have been really uncomfortable with long balls into their penalty box tonight - that will be a concern moving forward as better teams than Faroe Islands will seriously exploit that.
GOAL! FAROE ISLANDS 1-4 SPAIN (GAYA)
Terrific goal from Spain as Asensio releases Gaya and the left-back expertly lifts the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. It is an excellent finish from the defender as La Roja make it 4-1!
SPAIN SUB! Ruiz - on for his international debut - replaces Isco.
FAROE ISLANDS SUB! Vatnsdal is replaced by Baldvinsson for the home side.
Navas continues to find space in a wide position for Spain, but Faroe Islands have defended excellently for long periods of the second half. Little over 10 minutes remaining here.
Spain have not been great tonight but they are doing enough to pick up all three points, which is the name of the game at this stage. Sweden will be a much tougher test on Monday night, though, and La Roja will certainly have to raise their level for that contest.
OFF THE LINE! Diego Llorente has a header cleared off the line by Gregersen.
SAVE! Decent save from Gestsson to keep out an attempt from the substitute Ruiz.
The fact that Morata is still on the field for Spain suggests that he will not be in the XI against Sweden on Monday night. Could Rodrigo Moreno lead the line in that match? There are a number of players in a red shirt who have failed to make the most of their opportunity tonight.
SAVE! Super save from Gestsson to deny Asensio from distance!
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and Spain are very much on the front foot now as they continue to find space in the final third. Faroe Islands now look very tired, which was not the case for long spells of the second period. The hosts have been good.
FAROE ISLANDS SUB! M Olsen replaces Frederiksberg for the home side.
Navas has another cross blocked as we head for the final moments of this clash.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match and the home supporters will be absolutely delighted with what they have seen from their team tonight.
Moments away from the final whistle now and it is going to finish 4-1 to Spain.
FULL TIME: FAROE ISLANDS 1-4 SPAIN
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spain recording a 4-1 win over Faroe Islands to move onto nine points in Group F. Faroe Islands can be pleased with their performance tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you very soon!
