World Cup

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World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Oct 6, 2017 at 7.45pm UK

Spain
3-0
Albania Albania

Rodrigo (16'), Isco (24'), Alcantara (27')

FT(HT: 3-0)

Julen Lopetegui plays down Gerard Pique boos in Spain win

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 07 October 2017

Julen Lopetegui insists that it would be wrong to focus on the reaction received by Gerard Pique during Spain's 3-0 win over Albania on Friday evening.

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has hailed his side's "phenomenal" supporters, despite defender Gerard Pique being given a mixed reception in the win over Albania.

The outspoken Barcelona centre-back has come in for criticism from fans of his national side due to his political views after taking a pro-independence stance for Catalonia.

Having been targeted at a training session earlier in the week, Pique was again the subject of audible jeers when touching the ball early on in La Roja's 3-0 victory against Albania in Alicante on Friday evening, but he left the field an hour in to loud applause.

Asked to comment on the reception Pique received, Lopetegui told reporters: "The fans have been phenomenal. It starts to put the focus on the positive things in our football and our country.

"It is like when you see a painting and you just look at the speck of dust. We have to celebrate the good things and we have done it in the dressing room, singing and dancing."

Pique recently suggested that he has no intention of quitting Spain duty, even if he continues to be jeered by his own fans.