New-look Spain makes a statement

Spain badly needed a convincing performance after its World Cup flop and coach Vicente del Bosque had plenty of positives to dwell on after Monday's 5-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Macedonia.

Goals from Sergio Ramos (penalty), Paco Alcacer, Sergio Busquets, David Silva and Pedro secured three points in its opening Group C fixture in Valencia, the European champion's first competitive game since the World Cup in Brazil.

While not exactly a revolution, it was a new-look Spain side, with Cesc Fabregas excellent in a creative central midfield role, Silva a livewire up front and Alcacer scoring in his first international start.