Spain moved to the brink of World Cup qualification on Saturday after dismantling Georgia 4–0 in Tbilisi, extending their flawless run in the qualifiers and reinforcing their dominance at the top of Group E.
Mikel Oyarzabal led the charge with a clinical brace, while Real Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi and winger Ferran Torres added their names to the scoresheet in a commanding display that left Georgia overwhelmed from start to finish.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after Giorgi Gocholeishvili was judged to have handled Ferran Torres’ cross in the box. Zubimendi doubled Spain’s advantage just 11 minutes later, drifting unmarked into the area to bury a precise pass from Fabián Ruiz.
Torres then struck 10 minutes before halftime, finishing off a well-placed cross from Oyarzabal to further tighten Spain’s grip on the game. The pair combined again in the second half, with Torres returning the favour for Oyarzabal to secure his second of the night just after the hour mark.
Spain have now scored 19 goals in five qualifying matches and remain the only side in the group yet to concede. Their three-point lead over Turkey, coupled with a superior goal difference, means only a sensational seven-goal defeat in Tuesday’s showdown could deny them automatic qualification.
Turkey, however, kept the race mathematically open with a laboured 2–0 victory over Bulgaria in Bursa. Hakan Calhanoglu put them ahead from the spot after a handball in the 18th minute, but they struggled to kill off the match until Atanas Chernev diverted a cross into his own net with seven minutes remaining.
Austria, Belgium Still Battling
In Group F, Austria tightened their grip on a World Cup berth with a 2–0 win away to Cyprus. Marko Arnautovic scored both goals, putting Ralf Rangnick’s side on the cusp of their first qualification since 1998. Their fate could be sealed depending on Bosnia’s result against Romania or through their own performance when they meet Bosnia on Tuesday.
Belgium, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to secure early qualification after being held 1–1 by Kazakhstan. Dastan Satpaev stunned the Belgians with a ninth-minute opener before Hans Vanaken drew level shortly after halftime. Despite the setback, Belgium remain favourites to advance, especially with Liechtenstein—winless in the group—awaiting them next.
North Macedonia and Wales remain in contention as well, both sitting two points behind Belgium. Wales earned a crucial 1–0 win over Liechtenstein thanks to Jordan James’ 61st-minute strike. With Wales set to host North Macedonia on Tuesday, the contest for second place—and possibly automatic qualification—remains intense.
What You Should Know
Spain’s dominant win puts them all but certain of reaching the World Cup, boasting a perfect defensive record and unmatched goal margin in Group E.
While Turkey, Austria, Belgium, North Macedonia, and Wales are still in contention, Spain’s qualification appears only a formality ahead of Tuesday’s fixtures.
