Spain are almost certain to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Georgia 4-0, despite the absence of Lamine Yamal following the Barcelona star’s groin surgery.
La Roja’s 100% record in Group E was never in doubt as they swept aside their hosts in Tbilisi, with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and goals from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres securing an emphatic victory.
With Turkey also victorious against Bulgaria, Spain are not entirely sure of qualifying for the final tournament.
But they are three points ahead of Turkey, who they face on Tuesday, with a superior goal difference of 15 goals.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, converting after a VAR check vindicated Spain’s appeal for handball.
Alex Baena hit the post seven minutes later before Zubimendi doubled Spain’s advantage with a chipped finish after being played in by Fabian Ruiz.
Oyarzabal turned passer when he slipped into Torres to convert from close range 11 minutes before halftime, and the same pair combined again to put the game beyond doubt 18 minutes into the second half.
This time it was Torres who was the creator, with a cross headed in by Oyarzabal, whose second took his tally to five goals in qualifying.
Spain continued to push to make the scoreline more emphatic, Baena producing a fine save from Giorgi Mamardashvili late on as the European champions thrived even with Yamal away from the team in a sparkling display of their strength in depth.
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Georgia team against Spain
Georgia starting lineup: Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili, Lochoshvili, Goglichidze, Mamuchashvili; Tabatadze, Mekvabishvili, Kiteishvili; Davitashvili, Zivzivadze, Kvaratskheila.
Georgia replaces: Abuashvili, Gugueshashvili, Guliashvili, Kashia, Kereselidze, Kvernadze, Kvilitaia, Lominadze, Narimanidze, Nonikashvili, Tsitaishvili.
Spain team against Georgia
Spain starting lineup: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Ruiz, Merinos; Baena, Torres, Oyarzabal.
Spain replaces: Barrios, Fornals, Garcia, Grimaldo, Iglesias, Llorente, Lopez, Olmo, Pino, Raya, Remiro, Vivian.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers Dates
The best team from each of the 12 European qualifying groups automatically advances to the final, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 finalists from each group will join four Nations League teams in the two-legged play-offs, which will be drawn into pots based on the teams’ records during the campaign and will take place on March 26 and 31, 2026.
When will the draw for the final phase of the 2026 World Cup take place?
The draw for the World Cup final will take place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the ceremony starting at 5:00 p.m. GMT (12:00 p.m. ET/ 09:00 a.m. PT).
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
