Ruthless Spain close in on 2026 world cup spot after dominant win over Georgia

Spain moved to the brink of securing their place at the 2026 World Cup after easing to a comfortable win over Georgia on Saturday, Sport360NG reports.

Luis de la Fuente’s team now sit three points clear at the top of Group E with one fixture left to play, and only an unlikely seven-goal defeat against second-placed Turkey in Seville on Tuesday would stop the 2010 champions from qualifying automatically.

The Spaniards, who have been flawless throughout the qualifiers, struck early in Tbilisi. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot in the 11th minute after Giorgi Gocholeishvili was penalised for handball. Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi soon made it 2-0, delicately lifting the ball over Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Ferran Torres, formerly of Manchester City, added a third before the break after linking up well with Oyarzabal. The pair combined again in the 63rd minute, with Torres delivering a bending cross that Oyarzabal headed home for his second of the evening.

Spain, currently No.1 in the FIFA rankings, have won all five of their qualifiers, hitting 19 goals without conceding once.

Their qualification could have been sealed earlier in the day had Turkey failed to beat Bulgaria, but Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty and an own goal from Atanas Chernev secured a 2-0 victory. With Spain holding a far superior goal difference, Turkey must now win by seven clear goals in their final group game to snatch top spot and automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.