Spain Player Ratings Shine in 4-0 World Cup Qualifier Win

Spain player ratings once again impressed as La Roja cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over Georgia, all but sealing their spot at next summer’s World Cup. Despite missing key talents Lamine Yamal and Dean Huijsen due to injury, Spain’s depth and quality proved too much for Georgia, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi starring in a dominant performance.

Spain Player Ratings: Oyarzabal and Zubimendi Lead the Charge

From the very start, Spain player ratings were set to soar as the European champions controlled the tempo and possession in Tbilisi. Within minutes, VAR awarded Spain a penalty after Ferran Torres’ cross struck the arm of Georgia defender Giorgi Gocholeishvili. On his milestone 50th appearance for the national team, Mikel Oyarzabal calmly dispatched the penalty, sending goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way and giving Spain an early lead.

The momentum continued when Alex Baena rattled the post, but Spain quickly doubled their advantage. Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi latched onto a sublime Fabian Ruiz through ball, finishing with a delightful dink over the advancing Mamardashvili. The first half closed with Spain in total control, as Ferran Torres finished off a low cross from Oyarzabal for a third goal before the break.

Defensive Solidity and Tactical Execution

Defensively, La Roja remained composed and organized. Unai Simon, captaining his nation, had a quiet evening, while young Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte dictated proceedings from the back. Marc Cucurella’s relentless pressing and energy helped Spain maintain their high line and snuff out Georgian attacks before they could develop.

Pedro Porro provided attacking impetus with a dangerous cross that nearly resulted in an Oyarzabal goal, while his replacement Marcos Llorente maintained defensive solidity in the second half.

Midfield Mastery Sets the Tone

Midfield maestro Mikel Merino kept Spain ticking with tidy passing, although he couldn’t add to his qualifying goal tally. Zubimendi was instrumental both in shielding the defense and driving forward, capping his performance with a beautiful goal. Fabian Ruiz’s vision was on display yet again, notching the assist for Zubimendi’s finish and constantly breaking Georgian lines with incisive passes.

Baena added creativity in the final third, hitting the post and playing a key role in the buildup to Torres’ strike, while late substitute Fermin Lopez made an immediate impact with clever involvement in the fourth goal.

Attack Delivers Despite Yamal Absence

Spain’s attack was ruthless despite the absence of Lamine Yamal. Ferran Torres not only won the penalty but also got on the scoresheet and assisted Oyarzabal’s second goal with a precise cross. Oyarzabal, the clear man of the match, marked his 50th cap with two vital goals and an assist, exemplifying leadership and clinical finishing.

Alex Baena’s clever movement and passing added an extra dimension going forward, while substitutes Pablo Barrios and Borja Iglesias contributed solid, if unspectacular, minutes. Yeremy Pino had little time to influence proceedings.

Managerial Impact: De la Fuente’s Tactical Masterclass

Luis de la Fuente’s tactical approach paid dividends, with Spain asserting their dominance from the outset. His substitutions maintained the team’s control and ensured the clean sheet remained intact. The comprehensive victory leaves Spain top of Group E, maintaining their perfect qualifying record and putting World Cup qualification firmly within reach.

Spain Player Ratings: Individual Scores

• Unai Simon: 6/10 – Confident and untroubled in goal.
• Pedro Porro: 6/10 – Provided attacking width, replaced at halftime.
• Pau Cubarsi: 6/10 – Calm and composed in defense.
• Aymeric Laporte: 7/10 – Solid distribution and positioning.
• Marc Cucurella: 7/10 – Energetic and effective in halting attacks.
• Mikel Merino: 6/10 – Reliable and tidy in possession.
• Martin Zubimendi: 8/10 – Scored a superb goal, strong all-around play.
• Fabian Ruiz: 7/10 – Assisted with vision and accuracy in midfield.
• Ferran Torres: 8/10 – Won a penalty, scored, and created a goal.
• Mikel Oyarzabal: 9/10 – Two goals and an assist, dominant display.
• Alex Baena: 7/10 – Creativity and involvement in key attacks.

Substitutes:

• Marcos Llorente: 7/10 – Solid defensive work.
• Fermin Lopez: 7/10 – Influential in the buildup to the fourth goal.
• Pablo Barrios: 6/10 – Steady in midfield.
• Borja Iglesias: 5/10 – Missed a late chance.
• Yeremy Pino: N/A – No notable impact.

Manager:

• Luis de la Fuente: 7/10 – Excellent tactical setup and in-game management.

Looking Ahead: Spain Set Sights on World Cup

With this emphatic win, Spain head into their final Group E fixture against Turkey with near certainty of World Cup qualification, holding a substantial goal difference advantage. Their ability to maintain such high standards, even in the absence of top talents, underlines the impressive depth and resilience of the current squad.

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Opinion: Spain’s Depth Bodes Well for the Future

Spain’s player ratings in this match highlight the squad’s impressive depth and tactical flexibility. Oyarzabal’s leadership and Zubimendi’s midfield dominance show that even when key stars like Lamine Yamal are missing, La Roja can produce world-class performances. If Spain maintain this level of performance and squad unity, they will enter the World Cup as one of the favorites.