How Spain and Italy battled to maintain perfect Euro 2020 qualifying starts

Dani Ceballos (R) of Spain vies for the ball with Romania's midfielder Ciprian Deac (L) during the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Romania and Spain in Bucharest, Romania, on September 5, 2019. [AFP]

Spain took a step closer to qualification for Euro 2020 on Thursday after surviving a scare in Romania to win 2-1 and continue their 100 percent record, while Italy also kept their perfect start with a 3-1 win in Armenia.

A Sergio Ramos first half penalty and a beautiful team goal finished off by Paco Alcacer were just about enough for Spain in Bucharest, and made their record five wins from five to maintain their five-point lead at the top of Group F in their first match since Luis Enrique stepped down as coach in June to look after his daughter Xana, who died late last month of bone cancer.