Georgia vs Spain: La Roja close in on a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Spain have won all four matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding none; they will play away against Georgia at 00:00 on November 16th in Tbilisi. Georgia are missing Kakabadze and Mikautadze; they are hoping for Kvaratskhelia.
Spain traveled to Tbilisi with a clear objective: to maintain their perfect winning streak in Group E and secure a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup. After four matches, La Roja had a perfect 12 points, scoring 16 goals and conceding none. Meanwhile, Georgia had declined with only 3 points after four matches and suffered significant personnel losses.
Match information – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, European Zone
| Round | Table E |
|---|---|
| Location | Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tbilisi |
| Time | 00:00 on November 16th (Vietnam time) |
Background and form: two contrasting trajectories.
Georgia endured a difficult qualifying campaign. After four matches, they only had 3 points, sitting third in Group E and with virtually no chance of competing for qualification. Two defeats in October against Spain and Türkiye pushed coach Willy Sagnol's team into a corner. Across all competitions, they lost three of their last four matches.
Conversely, Spain has demonstrated overwhelming strength: 4 matches, 12 points, 16 goals scored, 0 goals conceded. This devastating run of form has kept La Roja firmly at the top of Group E. Another victory in Tbilisi would almost guarantee a direct ticket to North America.
Head-to-head history: La Roja holds a clear advantage.
The two teams have met 9 times, with Spain winning 8. Georgia's only victory came in a friendly match in 2016. Most recently, in the Round of 16 of EURO 2024, Spain defeated Georgia 4-1.
Team news: Georgia is depleted, Spain still has a strong squad.
Georgia has lost two key players to injury: Otar Kakabadze and Georges Mikautadze. Mikautadze's absence (21 goals in 41 appearances) is significant, forcing the home team to place high hopes on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain).
Spain will be without Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Pedri, and Nico Williams. However, the squad depth remains high with Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, and the midfield pairing of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi. Note: the source also lists Kakabadze as absent, but his name appears in Georgia's projected lineup.
Tactical analysis: La Roja's control vs Georgia's counter-attack
Spain will most likely continue with a 4-3-3 formation, controlling possession in midfield with the trio of Merino, Zubimendi, and Ruiz. The approach will be to impose their tempo, stretch the opponent's defensive structure, and patiently look for space in the half-spaces.
Georgia could opt for a low defensive block, shutting down the inner flanks and waiting for opportunities to switch play. Kvaratskhelia is the primary threat: his speed, technique, and one-on-one ability are key to creating breakthroughs against La Roja's unbeaten defense.
Hotspots: the wing and midfield.
The wing where Kvaratskhelia operates will shape many crucial plays. On the other side, Ferran Torres, with his habit of moving behind defenders and his varied finishing, is a constant threat. In the center, the balance between Spain's control and the fighting spirit of the Georgian midfielders will determine the resilience of the home team's defense.
Predicted lineup
- Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Kashia, Goglichidze, Gocholeishvili; Kiteishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili; Zivzivadze, Kvilitaia, Kvaratskhelia.
- Spain: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, F Torres, Baena.
Notable statistics
- Spain: 4 matches, 12 points, 16 goals scored, 0 goals conceded in Group E.
- Georgia: 3 points from 4 matches, having lost 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions.
- Head-to-head: Spain have won 8 out of 9 encounters; most recently a 4-1 victory at EURO 2024 (round of 16).
- Ferran Torres: 22 goals in 51 appearances for the Spanish national team.
- Georges Mikautadze: 21 goals in 41 appearances for Georgia.
Analysis and score prediction
Despite missing a few key players, Spain still boasts superior quality and depth. Georgia may create some significant counter-attacking moments thanks to Kvaratskhelia, but withstanding the pressure and intensity of La Roja will be a difficult task. A comfortable victory for the visitors is the most likely scenario.
Prediction: Georgia 0-2 Spain
