Israel end qualifying campaign with defeat to Spain
Asier Illarramendi's second half strike earns visitors a 1-0 win in Jerusalem
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Israel ended their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Jerusalem on Monday evening.
World Cup Qualifier Group G:
Israel 0 Spain 1
Monday, 9 October, 2007
Elisha Levy’s side only had pride to play for, and although they produced an improved performance on recent games, never truly troubled a Spanish side, who were playing a somewhat second-string side.
The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first half saw Pedro Rodriguez played through on goal, but Ariel Harush in the Israeli goal, did well to save his shot.
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Tomer Hemed came closest to getting on the scoresheet for Israel, though the game’s deciding moment occurred in the 76th minute when a half-cleared corner fell to Illarramendi, on the edge of the box, who fired in a stunning strike.
Ending the qualifying campaign with a sixth defeat from ten games, the match was also set to be Levy’s last charge, with a new manager set to be named ahead of the start of the 2020 European Championships qualifying campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjFdVGXkVVE
Final Group Standings:
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Points | |
| Spain | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 3 | 33 | 28 |
| Italy | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 23 |
| Albania | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 13 |
| Israel | 10 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 15 | –5 | 13 |
| FYR Macedonia | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 11 |
| Liechtenstein | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 39 | -38 | 0 |
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