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Spain coach Julen Lopetegui praised his side's patience after a narrow 2-0 victory in Albania which took his side top of Group G and maintained their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying. For almost an hour the home side frustrated their opponents, but once Spain capitalised on a weak clearance by goalkeeper Etrit Berisha to allow Diego Costa to score, Manchester City winger Nolito added the second to wrap up a comfortable win. Albania were the previous group leaders after back-to-back wins in their opening two matches and Lopetegui was keen to point out they were a difficult side to beat at home. "France lost here,'' Lopetegui told a press conference, referring to the 1-0 defeat suffered by Didier Deschamps' side in June 2015. "We knew it would be very difficult but we managed to minimise [the threat of] Albania. "We have had success to see a goal early in the second half. We have learned to be patient and work the moment. "Before the mistake their goalkeeper had been very important and had saved his team. "It is not the first time a team has tried to 'choke' us. The goal was to win and we have done that. "We are satisfied with the result -- but qualification will be very long and hard and we must fight until the end.'' The only downside to the victory was an apparent knee injury to Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, making his 140th appearance, with 10 minutes remaining. "It seems that Sergio can have a small sprain,'' added Lopetegui. "Hopefully it is not something that will keep him out for more than two or three games. "He is very important for us and for his club.''
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