Spain Takes Major Step Toward 2026 World Cup Qualification
Former champions Spain made significant progress towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a decisive victory against Georgia.
Under the management of Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish team is now three points ahead in Group E with one match left. Only a home defeat by seven goals to second-placed Turkey on Tuesday would prevent Spain from securing automatic qualification.
The 2010 World Cup winners continued their impressive qualifying campaign, scoring their first goal in Tbilisi just 11 minutes into the match. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Giorgi Gocholeishvili.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi extended Spain's lead shortly after, lifting the ball over Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres then added a third goal before halftime, finishing from Oyarzabal's assist.
In the 63rd minute, Torres delivered a curling cross that Oyarzabal headed in for his second goal and Spain's fourth of the match.
Ranked first in FIFA's world standings, Spain has won all five of their qualifying matches, scoring 19 goals without conceding any.
Spain would have secured automatic qualification had Turkey failed to win against Bulgaria; however, Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty and Atanas Chernev's own goal ensured a 2-0 victory for Turkey.
With a goal difference 14 goals worse than Spain's, Turkey must win by a seven-goal margin in Sevilla on Tuesday to deny Spain automatic qualification for next summer's tournament, which will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.