Just a couple of minutes of stoppage time remained when Kepa produced a remarkable reaction stop with his feet to keep out a close-range header from George Puscas and preserve his country’s hard-fought 2-1 lead.

Spain’s two-goal advantage had been halved on the hour, and then they were reduced to 10 men making the final stages very tense indeed against one of their rivals at the top of Group F.

But when the chance came Kepa was equal to it, ensuring Spain left Romania with three points. La Roja’s head coach Robert Moreno had again selected our keeper over previous number one David De Gea.

‘It was Kepa's turn, we thought he was the right one for this game,’ Moreno said.

’I'm very happy with him. He stood out because he saved us from a draw. We are very happy that he was able to help us in the end, just as each player does his job.’

Kepa has now won all seven games he has played for Spain, and he has started their last four competitive matches.

‘Of course I feel the confidence of the boss, but we are three goalkeepers,’ Kepa pointed out in the wake of this latest victory.

‘The boss is the one who decides the 11 that go out to the field. What we three goalkeepers have to do is to be prepared and, whoever comes out, help the team.

‘We have gone down one road and now we have another to go to Euro 2020. We want to qualify with as many points as we can get.’