Iniesta returns as Spain seeks to avenge loss to Italy

Published On: September 30, 2016 04:25 PM NPT By: Associated Press

Moenchengladbach's Mahmoud Dahoud, left, and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta challenge for the ball during the Champions League group C soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Barcelona in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

MADRID, Sept 30: Andres Iniesta will lead Spain in its World Cup qualifying matches against Italy and Albania after returning from injury.

Spain will be seeking to avenge a loss to Italy at the European Championship that ended the team's bid for a third consecutive continental title.

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui named Iniesta to his squad on Friday for the upcoming qualifiers away from home on Oct. 6 and 9.

The most notable inclusion was Napoli forward Jose Callejon. He will join an attack consisting of Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Manuel "Nolito" Agudo.

Spain beat Lichtenstein 8-0 its first qualifier for the 2018 World Cup after beating Belgium in a friendly in Lopetegui's debut. Iniesta missed both of those matches with a knee injury.