World Cup 2014 - Qualifying matches

Spain 2 - Georgia 0

Spain: Casillas; Juanfran, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Alberto Moreno; Xavi (Koke 66'), Busquets, Iniesta (Isco 82'); Jesús Navas, Negredo, Pedro (Mata 58'). 4-3-3.
Georgia: Loria; Lobjanidze, Khubutia, Kashia, Kvirkvelia, Khidesheli; Shota Grigalashvili (Ebralidze 70'), Kobakhidze, Elguja Grigalashvili (Khmaladze 77'), Dzaria; Gelashvili (Modebadze 88'). 5-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 26. Negredo. Turned shot past Loria after Iniesta and Pedro combined.
2-0. 61. Mata. Poked shot past keeper after series of rebounds inside area.

Mission accomplished! Spain beat Georgia 2-0 in their last group game to confirm top spot in their group and a place in next summer's finals in Brazil! With France still breathing down their necks, Del Bosque's side needed at least a draw to go through, and for the second time in four days they came up against an East European team playing an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation. The coach's answer though was to draft in Navas, Juanfran and debutant Alberto Moreno on the flanks, and after a period of sustained pressure Iniesta and Pedro found the way through for Negredo to open the scoring.

The Manchester City striker had already tested Loria with a spectacular overhead kick which the keeper managed to push over the bar, and later in the first half he hit the post, Kashia clearing his follow up header off the line with Loria beaten. Georgia were still dangerous on the counter-attack though, and Casillas (returning for this match in place of Valdés) had to be at his best to keep out Gelashvili shortly after Negredo's goal. But with just under an hour gone Del Bosque brought on Mata, and within three minutes the Chelsea forward wrapped things up with a low shot after a series of rebounds in the area. That was it, France's win against Finland had only gained them a place in the play-offs, and Spain will be in Brazil defending their title next year!