Spain are all however sure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after thrashing Georgia 4-0, regardless of the absence of Lamine Yamal following the Barcelona star’s groin surgery.
La Roja’s 100% file in Group E was by no means doubtful as they swept apart their hosts in Tbilisi, with a double from Mikel Oyarzabal and targets from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres securing an emphatic victory.
With Turkey additionally victorious towards Bulgaria, Spain will not be fairly certain of qualification for the finals.
However they’ve a three-point lead over Turkey, with their purpose distinction superior by 15 targets.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in eleventh minute, changing after a VAR examine vindicated Spain appeals for handball.
Alex Baena struck the put up seven minutes later earlier than Zubimendi doubled Spain’s benefit with a chipped end after he was performed via by Fabian Ruiz.
Oyarzabal turned supplier when he slipped in Torres to transform from shut vary 11 minutes earlier than half-time, and the identical pair mixed once more to place the sport past doubt 18 minutes into the second half.
This time Torres was the creator, his cross headed in off the put up by Oyarzabal, whose second took his tally in qualifying to 5 targets.
Spain continued to push to make the scoreline extra emphatic, with Baena drawing a superb save from Giorgi Mamardashvili late on because the European champions thrived even with Yamal away from the staff in a glowing demonstration of their energy in depth.
Georgia staff vs Spain
Georgia beginning XI: Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili, Lochoshvili, Goglichidze, Mamuchashvili; Tabatadze, Mekvabishvili, Kiteishvili; Davitashvili, Zivzivadze, Kvaratskheila.
Georgia substitutes: Abuashvili, Gugueshashvili, Guliashvili, Kashia, Kereselidze, Kvernadze, Kvilitaia, Lominadze, Narimanidze, Nonikashvili, Tsitaishvili.
Spain staff vs Georgia
Spain beginning XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Ruiz, Merino; Baena, Torres, Oyarzabal.
Spain substitutes: Barrios, Fornals, Garcia, Grimaldo, Iglesias, Llorente, Lopez, Olmo, Pino, Raya, Remiro, Vivian.
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The highest staff from every of the 12 European Qualifier teams proceeds routinely to the finals, which can be expanded to 48 groups.
The 12 runners-up in every group will be part of 4 Nations League groups within the two-legged play-off ties, which can be drawn from pots based mostly on groups’ data through the marketing campaign and happen on March 26 and 31 2026.
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will happen on December 5 2025 on the Kennedy Middle in Washington DC, with the ceremony beginning at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The event runs from June 11 till July 19 2026.
