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International breaks are fun when we get to see two giants in world football go against each other and it was Spain who triumphed 3-0 over Italy in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Pristine white was replaced by fiery red in the stands of the Santiago Bernabeu and the pitch as Julen Lopetegui's side put Gian Piero Ventura's side to the sword.
Both teams were locked on 16 points each in Group G prior to kickoff but a brace from Isco and a goal from Alvaro Morata ensured La Furia Roja now have the upper hand in qualification for the quadrennial event in Russia next year.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
1) Italy's naive tactics see historic unbeaten run come to an end
A year ago, Antonio Conte's highly-organised Italy had outclassed Spain at the 2016 Euros to deny La Roja a chance to defend their 2012 title. Unfortunately for the Azzurri faithful, this team was far from giving the home side any trouble in an all-important qualifier.
With Giorgio Chiellini injured, Ventura initially deployed his side with a back-three of Mateo Darmian, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. But it soon reverted to a back-four with Leonardo Spinazzola dropping deep into an attacking left-back role.
Surprisingly, Italy did not crowd the midfield and played a formation that looked like a 4-2-4. As a result, Marco Verratti and Daniele De Rossi were outnumbered in midfield as Spain played a 4-3-3 with a false nine allowing them to effectively play six midfielders.
Italy never saw the ball in the first half as Spain racked up a pass accuracy of 92% in the first half alone!
The Azzurri's last loss in qualifiers was way back in 2006. The last time they lost by such a huge margin was also against Spain (2012 Euro final).
2) Isco thrives in a false-nine role while Iniesta bosses midfield
With Diego Costa dropped from the squad (understandably so as we are yet to see him play this season due to the current impasse with Chelsea), Julen Lopetegui opted to start Isco up top instead of going with a striker such as Alvaro Morata or David Villa.
The plan worked as Italy's midfield and defence couldn't get near the ball. The crisp passing between Andres Iniesta, Koke, Sergio Busquets, Isco, Marco Asensio and David Silva saw Spain control the game, taking it away from the Italians.
It was classic Spain, the style of play that won them two Euros and a World Cup. Some of the personnel were the same but this was tiki-taka refined; married to a philosophy of direct football and using the best of both.
Iniesta looked like a man reborn, making those devastatingly incisive through-balls that carved open Italy's defence. It was those passes that saw Spain win two free-kicks, the first sent over the bar by Sergio Ramos before Isco beat Gianluigi Buffon with the second.
The Real Madrid man did not stop there. Playing in a deeper role compared to the traditional forward, Isco was able to find space, get free of his marker and the second goal from the edge of the box as he received the ball between the lines only proved how indecisive the defence was when it came to marking him.
3) Andrea Belotti struggles as he feeds on scraps
Although Spain dominated from start to finish, Italy did have their chances. With Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile paired up top, it was the younger partner who had the better chances.
The Torino forward did manage to win a few aerial duels and had two shots on goal. However, his best chance to bring Italy back in the game saw his header go over the bar.
The 23-year-old barely got any service from what was a non-existent midfield at times. Italy only managed to create opportunities from the flanks with Antonio Candreva putting in crosses and Lorenzo Insigne cutting in.
However, Spain's defence stood firm and even when Belotti did get a whiff of goal, David De Gea stood tall between the sticks to deny the Azzurri.
4) Alvaro Morata provides a different dimension to Spain in second half
If the first half saw Spain dominate possession, the second saw them play effective counter-attacking football that will give opponents nightmares. Packing the midfield is one way to take the fight to Spain but that also requires the defence to play a high line - which Alvaro Morata made good use of as Italy chased the game.
Coming on with 20 minutes to go in the game, the Chelsea forward stationed himself on Italy's defensive line and relied on Spain's clever passing to burst into Italy's half when he had the chance. His tall frame allows him to take long strides, time and again forcing Italy to retreat.
Although he did get caught offside on a couple of occasions, he did manage to seal the win with Spain's third goal just five minutes after coming on.
As he received the ball in the centre circle, he immediately got on the counter-attack with Sergio Ramos sprinting beside him. Morata obliged with a pass to his skipper before veering away from the back-tracking centre-backs Bonucci and Barzagli.
Bonucci clearly struggled in a back-four without a third centre-back and his failure to close down Ramos saw the Real Madrid defender slip the ball to the far post. Morata had continued his run and ghosted past Barzagli before finding the back of the net as Buffon flailed his arm in despair.
5) Leonardo Spinazzola's versatility gives Italy options for the future
While the Azzurri certainly did not give a good account of themselves at the Bernabeu, one man stood out in the 3-0 defeat. Their left midfielder/left-back - Leonardo Spinazzola.
The 24-year-old only made his international debut this year but he already looks at home on the left, putting in a shift and not rolling over like the rest of his teammates.
The Juventus man on loan at Atalanta was seen tracking back (even stopping a counter that almost saw Spain score another), gave Dani Carvajal a good battle on the flank and caused Davis Silva a few problems as well.
Not many full-backs are 6'3" but Spinazzola came good in the make-shift role winning all his tackles and aerial duels. Spain were also unable to dribble past him over the 90 minutes as he stood firm on the left.
