Spain almost certainly has direct tickets to the World Cup. With an easy 4-0 (3-0) win in Georgia, the European champions extended their perfect record in qualifying group E to five wins and 19-0 goals and are practically unassailable at the top of the standings before the final matchday and the direct duel with pursuers Turkey.
Mikel Oyarzabal with two goals (11, hand penalty/63), Martín Zubimendi (22) and Ferran Torres (34) scored for the Spanish team in Tbilisi, where the German U21 team also visits in European Championship qualifying on Tuesday. Oyarzabal added another goal for the Iberians (63′), who had to play without the injured Pedri (thigh) and Lamine Yamal (pubic bone problem).
Turkey secured second place with a 2-0 (1-0) win against bottom-ranked Bulgaria, meaning their journey to the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico will likely be led through the play-offs. Group victory is only theoretical, the gap with Spain before Tuesday’s top clash in Seville is three points and 14 goals behind.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu also leads Türkiye in hand penalties (18th). The decision in Bursa came through Atanas Chernev’s own goal (84th). After three call-ups without any international appearances, Atakan Karazor of Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart made his debut for Türkiye. The 29 year old midfielder made his first appearance against Bulgaria. National coach Vincenzo Montella replaced Karazor with former Bundesliga professional Kaan Ayhan in the 81st minute.
Belgium returned from Kazakhstan with disappointment
Due to a much better goal difference compared to second-place North Macedonia, a draw on Tuesday (8.45 p.m./DAZN) in the final game against big outsiders Liechtenstein should be enough to make their 15th World Cup participation perfect. North Macedonia will play Wales at the same time.
After Dastan Satpajew (9) stunned the favorites early on, Hans Vanaken (48) secured another point for the Belgian side, where Frankfurt’s Arthur Theate was the only Bundesliga professional. Coach Rudi Garcia’s team was also unable to capitalize on the majority after receiving a red card against Kazakhstan’s Islam Tschesnokov (79′) in the final phase.
Belgium took control of the game for long periods in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, but the hosts repeatedly showed dangerous advances. Satpayev took advantage of the second opportunity by completing the counter-attack with a shot from eleven meters into the near corner. After the break, Belgium became more dangerous, but only Vanaken managed to beat Temirlan Anarbekov with a header.
