Fabregas dropped from Spain squad, Costa & Mata recalled

Matt Stead

Julen Lopetegui has left Cesc Fabregas and Iker Casillas out of his first Spain squad.

Chelsea midfielder Fabregas and Porto goalkeeper Casillas have been dropped for the friendly with Belgium and World Cup qualifier with Liechtenstein, likewise there are no places for Arsenal duo Hector Bellerin and Santi Cazorla.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata and Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who both missed Euro 2016, have earned recalls, alongside Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez.

Former Porto manager Julen Lopetegui replaced Vicente Del Bosque in July following Spain’s disappointing Euro 2016 campaign, in which they were knocked out by Italy in the round of 16.