The Spanish national team took another step towards qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Georgia 2-0 at home in the third round of Group 5 European qualifiers on Saturday in Elche. Meanwhile, Saudi Al Hilal star Ruben Neves led Portugal closer to securing their spot with a late 1-0 win over Ireland, in a match where captain Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in Group 6.

In the first match, “La Roja” owed their victory to goals from forwards Jeremy Pino (24) and Mikel Oyarzabal (64).

Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team raised their tally to nine points with a perfect record, three points ahead of second-placed Turkey who beat Bulgaria 6-1, while Georgia remained third with three points.

Several stars were absent from the European champions’ lineup, including young talent Lamine Yamal who withdrew due to a recurring injury, Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, captain and Como striker Alvaro Morata, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

However, Spain’s squad remained strong with key players like Pino, Ferran Torres, and Oyarzabal up front, supported by Mikel Merino who scored an impressive hat-trick in the previous window against Turkey (6-0).

Oyarzabal missed an early chance for Spain from a corner kick after Pino broke the offside trap and headed the ball inside the box. Despite excellent positioning and no marking, Oyarzabal’s header went over the bar from close range (18).

Pino scored the opening goal for Spain after sustained pressure, breaking the offside trap and carefully receiving a pass from Pedri before confidently slotting the ball into the net from close range (24).

The hosts missed a chance to double their lead after the referee awarded a penalty due to a foul by Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamaradze on Torres, but Mamaradze redeemed himself by saving Torres’ penalty shot (29).

Mamaradze again saved his team with a brilliant stop after Pedro Porro broke through the Georgian defense and fired a surprise shot towards the near post (33).

Merino came close to extending the lead again with a header from Porro’s precise cross inside the box, but the ball went just wide of the post (36).

In the second half, the crossbar denied Spain a certain goal in a dramatic double chance as Porro curled a ball that hit the bar, then Oyarzabal quickly followed up but the ball hit the bar again (53).

Spanish pressure finally paid off with a second goal when Oyarzabal struck a powerful shot from a direct free kick (64).

In the second match, Portugal moved closer to qualification with a dramatic 1-0 win over Ireland.

The Portuguese controlled most of the first half amid a clear defensive retreat by their opponents but lacked the final touch.

The Portuguese had a golden chance to take the lead after the referee awarded a penalty for O’Shea’s handball inside the box, but goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher saved Ronaldo’s penalty (75).

Neves gifted his team three points in stoppage time by scoring a header from a Trincão cross (90+1).

Portugal is now closer than ever to securing qualification, leading Group 6 with nine points and a perfect record, five points ahead of Hungary (4) who earlier beat Armenia (3) 2-0.

Italy Keeps Its Hopes Alive

Italy maintained its hopes of direct qualification with a 3-1 win over Estonia away.

Italy’s goals came from Moise Kean (4), who later left due to injury (15), Matteo Retegui (38) after missing a penalty eight minutes earlier, and substitute Francesco Pio Esposito (74). Estonia’s substitute Ranno Sappinen scored after a major error by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (76).

Italy can secure at least a playoff spot if they win or draw against Israel in their next match.

All eyes will be on this match in Udine next Thursday, following widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Italy last week.

In Group 11, Latvia drew 2-2 with Andorra in a minor match.