Spain Seek Pound Of Flesh Against Italy In World Cup Qualifier

Barely three months after Italy ended the reign of Spain in Europe, the two teams go head-to-head again in a heated World Cup qualifier Clash. Both teams would have a lot of things going through their minds as they meet today owing to the rivalry that has existed between their two. For Spain, may be vengeance, they need to retrace their winning ways against the Italians after being edged out by Italy in the 2016 championship. Spain dominated Europe since 2008 winning the Europe championship two consecutive times en route the finals of the two they thrashed Italy twice. In their quarter-final meetings in 2008, Spain broke the 74-year-old jinx through penalty shoot-out beating them 4-2 and securing a semifinal ticket after which they won the title. In the 2012 when both teams met in the final of the European championship, Spain that seem to have gotten to the finals through an element of luck suddenly unleashed their goal venom on the Italian side, thrashing them 4-0 to win a consecutive European title. Italy who once had a long-term dominance over Spain before they suffered two heavy defeats in 2008 and 2012, suddenly found their winning ways against Spain in 2016, sending the defending champion out of the tournament and ending their 8-year-reign in Europe. Today, both teams shall renew their rivalry in a world cup qualifier, revenge and win will be utmost for Spain, while the Italians will seek to sustain their comeback to their winning ways.