Spain secured a dominant 7-1 victory over Georgia at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena during the European Championship Qualifying (ECQ) match. This win marked Spain’s first ECQ away victory in four matches (with two draws and one loss).
The match took place following Spain’s recent loss to Scotland, which was their first ECQ defeat in 14 years. La Furia Roja faced considerable pressure to secure a positive result against a strong Georgian side vying for second place in Group A.
From the outset, Spain initiated a high-pressure game, seeking an early lead in Tbilisi. Georgia’s resolute defense held out for 22 minutes until Marco Asensio delivered a precise cross from the right wing, allowing Alvaro Morata to head the ball into the net.
Just five minutes later, Fabián Ruiz’s intended low cross for Morata took an unexpected deflection off Solomon Kvirkvelia, doubling Spain’s lead.
Despite a near-third goal, disallowed for offside, Spain added another before halftime. Dani Olmo rebounded from a blocked shot to strike a low goal into the bottom left corner.
The fourth goal followed swiftly as Ruiz initiated a quick exchange with Morata, resulting in Morata’s second goal and La Furia Roja’s fourth.
Spain experienced a shaky start in the second half, with Giorgi Chakvetadze capitalizing on a defensive mishap, scoring Georgia’s first goal.
Yet, Morata completed his hat-trick, courtesy of Mikel Merino’s precise pass, further extending Spain’s lead.
Substitute Nico Williams added a sixth goal, while 16-year-old Lamine Yamal made history as Spain’s youngest-ever player and scorer, securing the seventh goal.
With this victory, Luis de la Fuente’s team moved into second place, surpassing both Georgia and Norway and holds a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Georgia dropped to fourth place based on goal difference, dimming their hopes of qualifying for their first major tournament as an independent nation.
