By IANS
MADRID: Spain's Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes his country is just one win away from assuring a place in the 2018 World Cup finals following their hard-fought 2-1 away-win against Macedonia.
Goals from David Silva and Diego Costa on Sunday gave Spain a win that was more comfortable than the final score would suggest, setting the Spanish up for what will be the decisive game of the group stage when they entertain Italy in Madrid on September 2, reports Xinhua news agency.
A win against the Italians will almost certainly book the Spanish their ticket to Russia.
"Our objective was to get all three points in what we knew would be a difficult game," Ramos was quoted as saying by the Spanish press on Monday.
"We knew it would be tough and Macedonia improved in the second half, but we are happy and now the season is over, we can have a rest," he added.
Ramos then looked ahead to what will be the decisive game against an Italy side that Spain has already taken a point from away from at home.
"We are one will away from qualifying for the World Cup, but it will be a tough game against a great team. Italy also won well this weekend (against Lichtenstein) and we are already thinking about how to be at our best when we play them," he concluded.
