<
>

Alvaro Morata's Spain injury played down, should be fit for Liechtenstein

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has played down the injury picked up by Alvaro Morata in the 2-0 win over Belgium and expects the Real Madrid striker to play in Monday's World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Morata, 23, limped off in the 27th minute of Thursday's victory in Brussels, with Chelsea's Diego Costa taking his place.

There were fears that the Madrid player's injury could be serious, but Lopetegui reassured Spain fans that was not the case.

"He had a knock and he worried that he could have a muscular problem," Lopetegui told the Spanish FA's (RFEF) official website. "Fortunately that was not the case and we only replaced him as a precaution."

Morata scored his first goal since returning to Madrid from Juventus this summer in last weekend's 2-1 La Liga triumph over Celta Vigo.

The striker, who has scored six goals in 14 appearances since making his Spain debut in November 2014, is expected to start on Monday in Leon when Spain kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Liechtenstein. They will also face Italy, Albania, Israel and Macedonia in Group G.

Lopetegui was pleased with Thursday's performance against Belgium -- his first game in charge since replacing Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016.

Two goals from Manchester City midfielder David Silva earned Spain a deserved victory against the Red Devils.

"We played a good game and there were times when we played really well," Lopetegui said. "We tried to make sure the players put all of their virtues at the service of the group.

"When someone enjoys their work, it's a joy to watch them. It's important to enjoy playing football. This was a beautiful game but the next against Liechtenstein is more important, no doubt."