Dani Olmo’s injury-time strike gave Spain a 2-1 win in Georgia on Sunday because the 2010 world champions bought their marketing campaign to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar up and working. Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Loria might solely assist Olmo’s rasping strike from 25 metres on its manner into the highest nook as Spain’s second-half strain paid off and the sizeable crowd inside Tbilisi’s Boris Paichadze stadium was silenced.
Ferran Torres had equalised earlier within the second half for Spain, the Manchester Metropolis winger scoring his fifth aim from six begins for his nation to cancel out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opener simply earlier than half-time.
However the late aim from RB Leipzig’s Olmo was very important for Luis Enrique’s facet, who have been held 1-1 at house by Greece of their first qualifier on Thursday.
The outcome additionally sees Spain prolong their exceptional document of not having misplaced in 65 World Cup qualifiers going again 28 years to a 1-0 defeat in Denmark in March 1993.
They proceed their Group B marketing campaign at house to Kosovo in Seville on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique made seven modifications to his staff from the Greece match with Pedro Porro, the full-back presently on mortgage at Portuguese league leaders Sporting from Manchester Metropolis, making his debut.
There have been additionally first begins for Barcelona midfielder Pedri and for 20-year-old ahead Bryan Gil, on mortgage this season at Eibar from Sevilla. Each had made their debuts as substitutes towards Greece.
Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon saved his place in aim and made an important save to maintain out Guram Kashia’s 18th-minute header.
Georgia are ranked 89th on the planet and didn’t win a single recreation in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, however they have been hoping to say a primary victory right here underneath new coach Willy Sagnol, the previous Bayern Munich and France defender.
They have been rewarded for a vigorous first-half show with the opening aim a minute previous to the interval as Otar Kiteishvili teed up Kvaratskhelia, the 20-year-old Rubin Kazan winger, who took a contact and fired low into the far nook.
Luis Enrique made two modifications on the break, sending on Olmo for Gil and changing Leeds United centre-back Diego Llorente with Inigo Martinez.
The guests improved within the second half and drew degree within the 56th minute when Torres turned in Jordi Alba’s low cross from the left.
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Nonetheless it seemed like they must accept some extent till Olmo struck within the second minute of added time.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
