SPAIN continued their dominant World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from Jeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal at Elche’s Manuel Martinez Valero stadium.
The win extended the European champions’ perfect run in Group E as they edge closer to a place at the 2026 tournament having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding.
Spain are top with nine points, three ahead of Turkey, while Georgia remain third on three points.
Bulgaria sit bottom of the group, having suffered three consecutive defeats.
Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep.
Spain dominated the match with over 80% possession and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity.
The hosts were thwarted by Giorgi Mamardashvili, though, as the goalkeeper was determined to prevent a rout.
Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a well-executed set-piece routine.
Pedri delivered a free kick from the left into the box, where defender Robin Le Normand provided an assist for Pino to finish into an empty net from close range.
Georgia’s defence faltered four minutes later when Saba Goglichidze’s misplaced back-pass led to Mamardashvili tripping Ferran Torres in the area.
However, the keeper made amends by diving low to his left to save Torres’ spot-kick.
Mamardashvili was in top form all night, also saving Pedro Porro’s long-range effort in the 30th minute.
Mikel Merino missed a golden opportunity to double the lead before halftime, firing over the crossbar from close range.
In the second half, Spain remained in control of the match.
Porro struck the post with a curling effort in the 53rd minute, while Oyarzabal and Torres wasted clear chances.
The breakthrough for the second goal arrived in the 64th minute as Oyarzabal unleashed a stunning free kick from the edge of the box.
Oyarzabal found the top corner with his free kick, sealing the result for Spain.
Mamardashvili continued to impress, denying Torres once more in the 88th minute to keep the scoreline respectable for Georgia, who were otherwise outclassed.
“We’re very happy with the victory,“ Porro told Spain’s TVE.
“The team played very well in all aspects of the game.”
“We had to watch out for their transitions and I think the team did very well.”
“The defence in general did a great job.”
“It’s our third clean sheet, which is important for building confidence.”
“Now we have another tough match ahead of us on Tuesday.”
Spain host Bulgaria in Valladolid on Tuesday when Georgia visit Turkey in Izmit. – Reuters
