Spain secured a convincing 3-1 home win over Kosovo in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, although goalkeeper Unai Simon made a huge blunder to cost his side a goal.
Dani Olmo gave Spain a deserved lead in the 34th minute with a delicate chip to add to his winner against Georgia in their last game, and Ferran Torres fired in the second goal two minutes later.
Spain looked in total control as they dominated possession but they allowed Kosovo back into the game in the 70th minute when Simon lost the ball after rushing out of his box and Besar Halimi pounced to score from distance.
But the home side restored their two-goal cushion five minutes later after a header from Gerard Moreno, and saw out the win to move top of Group B with seven points after three games.
"I'm very happy with what I saw on the pitch today. We played a great game and our victory was never in doubt," Spain coach Luis Enrique said.
Spain had faced much criticism for their sluggish start to qualifying after a 1-1 home draw with Greece and a scrappy 2-1 victory in Georgia.
After that, Enrique said he was very worried about his side's struggles to break down tight teams intent on defending.
Practically everything clicked into place on Wednesday, as Pedri, 18, pulled the strings in midfield while Ferran and Olmo used their pace to help prise open Kosovo.
After Olmo's chip broke the deadlock, Pedri laid on the pass for Ferran to double Spain's lead with a darting run before firing into the opposite corner of the net.
"We were ruthless in front of goal today but we need to keep on working because there's a lot of room to improve," midfielder Koke said.
"We know people expect a lot of us but there are no easy games at this level. Every team wants to be at the World Cup and no one is winning games comfortably."
Playing with flair and confidence that recalled a young Andres Iniesta, Pedri carved open the visitors again in the second half.
He would have added another assist had Moreno not wasted a clear opportunity by shooting straight at Kosovo keeper Samir Ujkani.
The only sour note for Spain concerned Simon, whose error will start another debate over who should be their number one keeper in the European Championships in June.
The mistake came at a crucial stage in the season for the Athletic Bilbao keeper, who is set to play in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
"Unai should keep doing what he does because he gives me a lot of confidence," Enrique said.
"I don't judge my players for their errors, they are part of this sport. Learning to overcome little mistakes is all part of growing as a player."
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
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Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
The%20specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath