Dani Olmo’s last gasp winner helps Spain win 2-1 against Georgia in crunch World Cup qualifier

Dani Olmo’s last gasp winner helps Spain win 2-1 against Georgia in crunch World Cup qualifier

Spanish players celebrate Dani Olmo's winning goal against Georgia

Spain came from behind against lesser opponents Georgia to win their first World Cup qualifying group match. Dani Olmo’s final minute long range strike gave them a hard-fought 2-1 win in Tblisi.

Spain drew their previous match against Greece and a draw today would have put their direct chances of qualifying for the World Cup in jeopardy. Spain are now top of their group with 4 points but Sweden have a match in hand and can go top with a victory.

Spain currently top Group B with 4 points in 2 matches

Luis Enrique started an inexperienced starting line-up against Georgia resting some key players in the process. Pedro Porro and Bryan Gil made their first starts for the national side as Llorente , Thiago, Oyarzabal and Ramos were named on the bench.

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Spain enjoyed most of the possession in the first half of the match but failed to create clear cut chances for their attacking players. Georgia on the other hand made most of whatever little of the ball they were seeing and threatened on the counter.

Georgia’s economic play paid dividends in the first half when Kiteishvili found Kvaratskhelia and he fired across Simon into the far corner to give them an unexpected lead much to the joy of the Georgian supporters in the stadium.

Spain struggled to break down the Georgian defence as the held their shape and defended in numbers. However, Spain came out with more urgency in the 2nd half as Luis Enrique brought on experienced players like Llorente, Thiago to score the all elusive equalizing goal.

Spain scored through Ferran Torres in the 56th minute as Alba flung in a cross into the box. Ferran Torres hit home at the back stick as Alvaro Morata missed his attempted back-heel.

The Georgian crowd made their voices felt in the 2nd half as Georgia looked to have eked out a draw against their mighty Spanish opponents. Every clearance was greeted by loud cheers as the match moved into the final minutes in Tblisi.

However, Dani Olmo put all of Georgia’s good work to waste as he thundered in a strike from 25-yards out to score the winner for Spain. The keeper got a hand to it but the ball went in off the junction of post and bar.

Also Read : France overcome Kazakhstan challenge to win 2-0 in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier