Spain ended Italy's 11-year unbeaten run in qualifiers with a 3-0 win on Saturday and moved closer to securing a World Cup spot.
The Italians hadn't lost a qualifier - World Cup or European Championship - in 56 games, since September 2006.
Two first-half strikes by Francisco "Isco" Alarcon and a late goal by substitute Alvaro Morata gave the hosts the important Group G victory.
Spain was in control during most of its 3-0 win in front of more than 73,000 fans at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium.
The Real Madrid forward struck in the 13th minute as he fired a well-placed shot over the Italian wall and past the outstretched arms of Buffon. He struck again in the 40th after clearing a defender with a neat cut back outside the area before sending a low shot into the corner.
The result left Spain in control of Group G with 19 points, three more than Italy, with three games left in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Albania is third with 12 points.
Only the group winner automatically qualifies.
Both Italy and Spain had won all their group matches apart from a 1-1 draw against each other in Turin.
Spain's final qualifiers are at last-place liechtenstein on Tuesday, against third-place Albania on Oct. 6 and at Israel on Oct. 9.
Italy's remaining games are at Israel on Tuesday, against Macedonia on Oct. 6 and at Albania on Oct. 9.
Spain's last loss in World Cup qualifying was in November 1993.
Its unbeaten run now stands at 60 matches.
Also Saturday, Albania needed two second-half goals to beat last-place liechtenstein 2-0 to stay within reach of the group leaders.
STAYING AlIVE
Midfielder Odise Roshi and defender Ansi Agolli scored as Albania defeated liechtenstein 2-0 to move closer to second-place Italy.
The home victory gave Albania 12 points, four behind the Italians. Albania trails Spain by seven points. last-place liechtenstein has lost all of its seven matches, being outscored 26-1.
MISSED CHANCE
Israel missed a chance to move within four points of Italy after a 1-0 home loss to Macedonia.
Macedonia, second-to-last in the group, got the winner with a goal by Goran Pandev midway through the second half.
The veteran striker took his national record tally of international goals to 30.
Macedonia moved to six points, three fewer than Israel.