Good evening and welcome to Eurosport’s LIVE text commentary of the UEFA Group G qualifying match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup involving Spain and Israel at the Estadio El Molinon in Gijon.

Spain, who have had 85% of possession thus far, are well worth their lead.

GOAL! Spain's relentless pressure pays off as Silva puts the hosts ahead to cap a fine team goal. Alba nutmegs the defender with a through ball and the Man City man runs onto it, before sliding the ball past the goalkeeper with a left-footed shot.

Costa makes a clever run behind the Israel defence as Thiago comes forward with possession but the midfielder's threaded through ball is too far ahead of his team mate and Marciano can gather the ball and Israel can catch a breather.

La Roja really seem in the mood this evening.

One-two football from Spain sees Silva released behind the away defence but his cut-back into the penalty area is easily defended by Israel.

Pique is in some pain here as he falls rather awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Tibi. Spanish fans can relax though as the defender seems OK to continue.

Down at the other end and Israel are causing problems of their own as Zahavi bursts through on goal but a last-ditch tackle from Pique saves the hosts.

CROSSBAR! A spectacular strike from Thiago smashes off the woodwork! It was struck really sweetly from 25 yards and the goalkeeper was well beaten.

Delightful stuff from Spain as they switch they play effortlessly to the awaiting Alba on the opposite flank and the full-back forces the corner which ultimately comes to nothing.

Israel record the first shot on target as Zahavi tries his luck from 20 yards but he's never beating De Gea from that kind of range. The visitors have their work cut out tonight, for sure.

KICK-OFF: Spain get us underway!

FIVE MINUTES UNTIL KICK-OFF: A reminder of this evening's starting line-ups...

Spain: De Gea, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Carvajal, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago, Vitolo, Diego Costa, Silva.

Israel: Marciano, Dasa, Gershon, Tzedek, Tibi,  Natcho, Cohen, Refaelov, Ben Haim, Einbinder, Zahavi.

If Israel are to emerge victorious this evening they'll have to do it without top scorer Tomer Hemed who has been left on the bench. It's their best World Cup campaign since 1994 and they're bidding to make it to the finals for the first time since 1970.

Can Israel pull of a major surprise in Gijón? Elisha Levy's side have won three games and lost only once in their first four and the 'Blue and Whites', as they are known, can play without pressure this evening.

"We know we are facing one of the strongest national teams in the world, but we will go to Spain with the goal of playing positive football," said Levy. "We want to threaten Spain's goal and do all we can to get a good result. We don't want to capitulate against any opponent. This is a big test for us, but we will do our best."

against Spain. They sit just third in the standing in Group G and have won three and lost just one game in their first four. The loss came against Italy.

Spain are protecting an incredible record on home soil having not been beaten in qualification for the tournament since competing in their first tie in 1934.

La Roja currently lead Group G, only ahead of Italy on goal difference. Israel currently lie third, one point behind the two major nations with nine.

One of the more interesting sub-plots to this evening is the fact that Spain have six players who are only one booking away from missing the next game – against Macedonia, on June 11. The following match takes place in September – against Italy. The players in question are Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Busquets, Thiago, Vitolo and Diego Costa.

It’s a night when big things are expected of Diego Costa. The Brazilian-born frontman has scored only four times in 14 games at international level and the 28-year-old simply has to improve on that record if he is to keep a hold of his spot in Julen Lopetegui’s side.

Chelsea's Diego Costa spearheads La Roja's attack but there is no place in the starting line-up for Everton's Deulofeu. There's a slight surprise in midfield where Sevilla's Vitolo starts ahead of Pedro.

ISRAEL: Marciano, Dasa, Gershon, Tzedek, Tibi, Natcho, Cohen, Refaelov, Ben Haim, Einbinder, Zahavi.

Subs: Harush, Kleyman, Twatha, Dor, Keltjens, Bitton, Yeini Micha, Hemed, Shechter, Sahar, Ohana.

SPAIN: De Gea, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Carvajal, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago, Vitolo, Diego Costa, Silva.

Subs: Rico, Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Nacho, Martinez, Koke, Herrera, Isco, Morata, Pedro, Deulofeu, Aspas.