Martin Zubimendi got on the scoresheet in Spain’s 4-0 win in Georgia to all-but secure their passage to the 2026 World Cup.
The European champions recorded a big win in Tbilisi with Martin and Mikel Merino selected from the start, and after Mikel Oyarzabal put them in front from the penalty spot, Martin added a second 11 minutes later when he dinked the ball over Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Ferran Torres added a third before Oyarzabal completed his brace to put Spain three points clear of their group with one game to go, and only a seven-goal loss at home to second-placed Turkey on Tuesday will deny them automatic qualification. Martin played the whole game while Mikel came off on 62 minutes, and David Raya was an unused sub.
Speaking post-match, Martin said: “I am happy to contribute to the team by scoring, but I have to say that even with the 4-0 final score, our pressing was not good. We need to improve certain things because in the end they pressed us well and took the ball off us at times.”
In a similar situation is the Netherlands after Jurrien Timber helped the Dutch draw 1-1 in Poland. Jakub Kaminski put the hosts ahead, but Memphis Depay equalised to keep his nation three points ahead of their nearest rivals, and a point at home to Lithuania on Monday night will see Jurrien potentially feature in his second finals.
Belgium suffered a surprise 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan to miss out on securing an automatic place in the finals, with Hans Vanaken cancelling out the hosts’ opener to earn a point. Leandro Trossard played 71 minutes of that game, but a win against rock-bottom Liechtenstein on Tuesday will punch the Red Devils’ ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Also with work to do is Christian Norgaard’s Denmark, who despite taking a 1-0 lead against Belarus found themselves trailing in Copenhagen before Gustav Isaksen secured a 2-2 in the 79th minute. Christian played 70 minutes and will hope to be handed another start in a crunch top-of-the-table clash against Scotland on Tuesday, where a point in Glasgow would be enough to see the Danes make it.
Having qualified in the previous international window, England finished their campaign with a 100% record by beating Albania 2-0. Thomas Tuchel shuffled his pack following the victory against Serbia on Thursday, with Ebere Eze starting and Bukayo Saka on the bench.
After the former as well as Declan Rice were withdrawn on 62 minutes, the Three Lions took the lead when Harry Kane bundled the ball in from a Saka delivery. The Bayern Munich striker added a second to seal the win, as England cruised through their group without conceding in their eight matches.
Having helped France to the finals courtesy of a 4-0 win against Ukraine on Thursday, William Saliba was rested and remained on the bench as Le Bleus recorded a 3-1 victory in Azerbaijan.
Despite not being selected due to injury, Martin Odegaard was in Milan to be with the Norway squad as they qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years by recording an eye-catching 4-1 win against Italy to top their group and reach their first major finals since Euro 2000.
As was the case in the Azzurri’s 2-0 win in Moldova three days earlier, Riccardo Calafiori wasn’t in the Italian’s squad due to injury, who now enter the play-offs for the third campaign in a row, as they seek their first World Cup appearance since 2014.
Aside from World Cup qualifying, Gabriel had an Emirates Stadium homecoming as Brazil beat Senegal 2-0, however our man suffered a thigh injury on 64 minutes after goals from Estevao and Casemiro did the damage for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and he won’t feature in the Selecao’s upcoming fixture against Tunisia.
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OUR INTERNATIONALS IN ACTION
All times GMT
Thursday, November 13
France 4-0 Ukraine
Saliba played 90
Moldova 0-2 Italy
Calafiori wasn't selected
England 2-0 Serbia
Saka played 90, scored, Rice played 65, Eze came on on 64, scored
Friday, November 14
Canada 0-0 Ecuador
Hincapie played 90
Poland 1-1 Netherlands
Timber played 90
Saturday, November 15
Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium
Trossard played 71
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
Gabriel played 64
Georgia 0-4 Spain
Zubimendi played 90, scored, Merino played 62, Raya unused sub
Denmark 2-2 Belarus
Norgaard played 70
Sunday, November 16
Azerbaijan 1-3 France
Saliba unused sub
Albania 0-2 England
Rice and Eze played 62, Saka came on 62
Italy 1-4 Norway
Calafiori not selected
Monday, November 17
Netherlands (Timber) v Lithuania
World Cup qualifier | Amsterdam | 7.45pm
Tuesday, November 18
Scotland v Denmark (Norgaard)
World Cup qualifier | Glasgow | 7.45pm
Spain (Zubimendi, Merino, Raya) v Turkey
World Cup qualifier | Seville | 7.45pm
Belgium (Trossard) v Liechtenstein
World Cup qualifier | Liege | 7.45pm
Wednesday, November 19
Ecuador (Hincapie) v New Zealand
Friendly | New Jersey | 1.30am
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