A decent Spain move but Jordi Alba's cross is out of play. He scored against them in the Euro 2012 final, as did David Silva.

Freddie Caine: How many of this Spain side would be England's best player?

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Image source, Getty Images

A good spell from Italy now, Lorenzo Insigne's cross is just over a team-mate and then Sergio Ramos does a bicycle kick to get the ball clear.

It's almost 2-0 to Spain, Koke crosses from the right and Gerard Pique heads over from six yards. I wonder if the Real Madrid fans who have been whistling him would have cheered that goal.

Another Italy attack but Sergio Ramos heads away under pressure from Daniele de Rossi. And Ciro Immobile commits a foul as he tries to keep the ball in on the left side.

Simon Turner: A beauty of a free-kick by Isco, but was Buffon a step too close to his left post & maybe a bit slow to react? 1-0, either way

Italy are almost level, Matteo Darmian pings in a great cross from the right and Andrea Belotti's header is parried away by Manchester United keeper David de Gea. That was Italy's first shot. In fact it was their first touch in the box.

Four Real Madrid players on their home ground in the red of Spain today. Two of them, Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio, link up down the right, but the move ends up falling apart.

Italy are confident at the back, I'll give them that. Leonardo Spinazzola takes a throw-in, across his central defenders, but they don't bat an eyelid and calmly build a move.

Raoul van Lennep: (re 9 mins) Actually you will find Ronald Koeman is a much better free kicker than Ian Harte. No offence to Ian.

GK: Watching Spain v Italy . Both different class to England

Image source, AFP

If Spain win this, they're probably going to be going to the World Cup. There are three games left after this, with none you'd expect them to drop points in.

The same would be true of Italy if they were to win this.

A second Italy player is booked, and it could have been red. Marco Asensio is through on goal if Leonardo Bonucci does not foul him. The AC Milan man brings him down but is only shown a yellow card.

Neither team have had a touch of the ball in the opposition box yet.

Image source, Reuters

Marco Asensio stands over the free-kick, but it's actually his captain (of club and country) Sergio Ramos who takes it. Well over the bar.

Defenders taking free-kicks should only be allowed if it's Ian Harte.

Free-kick to Spain in a great position as Koke is felled by Daniele de Rossi. Marco Asensio territory?

David Silva appears to be playing as Spain's central forward, or false number nine if you like that phrase, and not Marco Asensio as expected.

Spain centre-back Gerard Pique gets some whistles every time he touches the ball. He plays for Barcelona and this is Madrid...

An early yellow card for Italy midfielder Marco Verratti, who fouls Sergio Busquets.

Italy centre-back Andrea Barzagli wins an early free-kick as he shepherds a ball from Marco Asensio and gets barged over.

If Spain do need a striker, they have David Villa, Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas on the bench. Diego Costa is on his, um, let's call them holidays.