Spain extended their record for the longest-ever competitive run, reaching 30 matches unbeaten, with a commanding 4-0 victory over Georgia in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group E.
The visitors took the lead early in Tbilisi. Just ten minutes into the match, Giorgi Gocholeishvili handled the ball inside the box, awarding Spain a penalty. Mikel Oyazarbal, making his fiftieth international appearance, confidently converted, sending Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way. Georgia’s attacking threats were limited and largely dependent on their talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Álex Baena tested the goalkeeper with a low-driven effort that struck the woodwork, while Martin Zubimendi doubled the lead midway through the first half, turning a loose ball into the net.
Georgia struggled to create meaningful opportunities, failing to register a shot on target in the opening thirty minutes despite the efforts of Zuriko Davitashvili. Spain maintained defensive discipline, quickly regrouping whenever the hosts threatened, while their forwards capitalised on any openings. Baena soon delivered a precise pass to Oyazarbal, who crossed for Ferran Torres to tap home from close range. The half concluded with Spain in full control, with Mamardashvili producing a remarkable save to deny Oyazarbal a fourth goal in stoppage time.
The second half saw Georgia briefly press forward. Debutant Iuri Tabatadze directed a header goalwards, and Anzor Mekvabishvili’s long-range strike tested Spain, yet the visitors remained largely untroubled. Spain eventually extended their advantage when Oyazarbal headed the ball back towards goal, seeing it bounce off the post and into the net for the fourth.
The result marked Spain’s fifth consecutive victory in this qualifying campaign and placed them on the brink of securing a place at next summer’s finals, pending only a dramatic loss against Turkey. For Georgia, the defeat was their ninth in ten encounters with La Roja, having conceded twenty-four goals in the last five meetings.
