Spain Approaches the World Cup with a Comfortable Victory Against Georgia (2-0)

Spain maintains its perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after three matchdays. On Saturday, La Roja did their homework in Elche, defeating Georgia (2-0) in a match where the three FC Barcelona players available (Pau Cubarsí, Pedri González, and Ferran Torres) were in the starting lineup.

Without Dani Olmo (out due to injury), Luis de la Fuente's team controlled the match from start to finish against a Georgian side that barely entered the opponent's half in a handful of opportunities. The visitors finished the match without a single shot, but avoided a scandalous rout thanks to the interventions of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Spain indulged in the luxury of missing a penalty in the first half

Ferran Torres missed a penalty against Georgia

The Spanish siege on the rival area was only reflected on the scoreboard around the 24th minute. Robin Le Normand assisted Yéremy Pino in a play orchestrated by Pedri. The Barça midfielder filtered a pass after a corner in favor of La Roja that left the center-back free inside the area.

Le Normand looked up and saw Pino coming through the middle alone, so he chose to pass to his teammate so he could push the ball into the goal. Spain had provoked a possible penalty minutes before, with Ferran Torres as the protagonist, but the referee considered that the 'Shark' took a dive after reviewing the play on the monitor.

However, the player from Foiós would have his revenge in the 27th minute, after being brought down by Mamardashvili when trying to evade him in a one-on-one. The Barça forward took charge of the penalty, but the goalkeeper guessed the side and stopped the '11's right-footed shot.

Mikel Oyarzabal settled the match with an exemplary free kick

La Roja had up to 17 clear chances before halftime, but went into the break winning only 1-0 due to saves by Mamardashvili and balls hitting the post.

In the second half, both teams returned from the locker room without changes, and the dynamic of the match remained intact. Total Spanish dominance and a Georgia completely entrenched in their own half, trying to generate a counterattack with a long ball.

In the 63rd minute, Mikel Oyarzabal took charge of a very dangerous free kick on the edge of the area. The Real Sociedad captain opted for a direct shot to the corner, with perfect power and placement to blast it past the Liverpool goalkeeper.

In this way, Spain finished off a match that they dominated with authority from start to finish, although the score was tight in Elche. Cubarsí and Ferran played the full 90', while Pedri came off in the 74th minute. Next Tuesday, the team will host Bulgaria in Valladolid (20:45 CEST) in search of another victory, their fourth in a row, which would leave them on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup.

• At FCBN you can follow live the evolution of all the internationals of Fútbol Club Barcelona during this FIFA date.