Israel back on track after Andorra stroll

• Four first-half strikes prove decisive for Israel
• First international goals for Nir Bitton and Munas Dabbur
• Win followed defeats by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Wales
• Israel stay third in Group B with three games remaining
• Next matches: Wales v Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Andorra (Sunday)

Israel breathed life into their UEFA EURO 2016 qualification campaign as they overran Andorra in Haifa thanks to a clinical first-half display which refreshes their hopes of making it to a first UEFA European Championship finals.

The hosts got off to the perfect start in this Group B encounter, settling any nerves by taking the lead with just three minutes on the clock – Nir Bitton's long-range shot fumbled by goalkeeper Ferran Pol, allowing Eran Zahavi the chance to pounce and turn the ball into the net.

Midway through the first half Israel doubled their advantage, with the creator and the scorer of the first goal swapping roles as Zahavi's free-kick from the left was met by Bitton, who rose highest to head home his first goal for his country.

Within three minutes a Tomer Hemed penalty had made it 3-0 and with Andorra camped inside their own half worse was to follow for the Pyrenean team: Munas Dabbur showing good feet to jink past a couple of defenders before firing past the helpless Pol.

The second half would bring an improved display from Andorra, as they held Israel at bay, but it was still a night to forget for coach Koldo Alvarez, ahead of his 45th birthday on Friday. Indeed, it was a 51st consecutive defeat for the away side, a losing streak in competitive matches stretching back ten years.

Israel, meanwhile, now move into a crunch encounter against Wales on Sunday with ambition renewed. Victory against the Welsh would reduce the gap on the pool leaders to two points, with games against second-placed Belgium and Cyprus to come.