Spain moved to the brink of sealing another World Cup appearance after sweeping aside Georgia 4–0 in Tbilisi, extending their perfect run in Group E and all but confirming their place at next summer’s tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s men have now won all five qualifiers without conceding a single goal, and while they are not yet mathematically through, only the most improbable scenario could deny them.
Turkey remain three points behind Spain after a 2–0 win over Bulgaria, but for Vincenzo Montella’s side to snatch top spot, they would need to beat Spain by seven goals or more when the teams meet on Tuesday — a margin that borders on fantasy given Spain’s dominance in the campaign.
La Roja arrived in Georgia without several key players, including Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Nico Williams, yet never looked troubled. Instead, they produced a calm, clinical performance that highlighted the depth and maturity of a squad fresh off their Euro 2024 triumph.
Spain struck early when Giorgi Gocholeishvili handled Ferran Torres’s effort inside the box, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to convert from the penalty spot — his 20th international goal and the 100th scored under De la Fuente. Moments later, the visitors doubled their lead through Martín Zubimendi, who finished confidently after being slipped through by Fabián Ruiz.
With Georgia shell-shocked, Spain added a third before half-time. Oyarzabal turned provider, squaring for Ferran Torres to tap home from close range. The hosts struggled to maintain possession, and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili — otherwise excellent this season for Liverpool — was repeatedly called into action as Spain pushed forward.
The second half brought more Spanish control and a second goal for Oyarzabal, who met Torres’s delivery with a precise header to put the result beyond doubt. Only a late moment of panic, when Pau Cubarsí redirected the ball against his own post, threatened Spain’s perfect defensive record, but Georgia ultimately could not find a breakthrough.
Torres praised the group’s consistency after the match, saying, “We feel really good after this. It’s not mathematical yet, but we’re going into the last game confident.” Oyarzabal echoed that sentiment, insisting the team must “seal qualification in the best way possible.”
Despite an impressive showing at Euro 2024, Willy Sagnol’s Georgia are now eliminated from contention, their hopes of a first-ever World Cup appearance officially over. Spain, meanwhile, look set to reach their 13th consecutive World Cup, scoring 19 goals without conceding — a mark of a side playing with authority, confidence and clarity under De la Fuente.
