Spain vs Georgia: World Cup Qualifying Match Preview

La Roja takes on Georgia in must-win World Cup Qualifier

World Cup qualifying match, with Spain expected to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. Georgia, on the other hand, will likely employ a defensive strategy and look to catch Spain on the counter.

In their recent matches, Spain has shown impressive form, winning most of their games with ease...

Given Spain's dominance in recent matches and their head-to-head record against Georgia, the odds are stacked against the Georgians. However, Georgia could spring a surprise if they employ a low block defense, which has proven to be a challenge for Spain in the past. This tactic would require Georgia to remain compact in midfield and get forward swiftly while maintaining defensive solidity.

Spain's Unbeaten Streak

Spain remains unbeaten in normal time this year, with their only loss coming on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final after a 2-2 draw. In their two World Cup qualifying games in Group E, Luis de la Fuente's side have been dominant, winning both matches and scoring nine goals while conceding none.

⚽️Mad goals, pure banter, and @cucurella3 doing bits again 😂
This foot-tennis vid is just unreal 😅 #VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/AIBHmym9Yk

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) October 9, 2025

Spain's recent performances have showcased their strength, with six goals scored against Turkey and three against Bulgaria. Their next challenge is against Georgia, where they'll aim to maintain their unbeaten streak and top form. Given their current performance, Spain seems poised to continue their dominance in the qualifiers.

La Roja's impressive run continues, with only seven losses in 72 games since 2020, including friendlies and competitive fixtures. Six of those losses were by a single goal, showcasing the team's resilience. Their most recent competitive defeat was against Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying, where they lost 2-0 at Hampden Park, marking the only instance where they conceded twice without scoring.

Spain's Dominant Head-to-Head Record Against Georgia

The head-to-head record between Spain and Georgia strongly favors La Roja. Out of eight previous matches, Spain has won seven, including the last five, while Georgia's sole victory came in a friendly back in 2016. This dominance is evident in their recent encounters, with Spain's only concern being the occasional draw.

In their recent matches, Spain has shown impressive form, winning most of their games with ease. According to statistics, Spain averages 3 goals per match, while Georgia averages 1.8 goals per match. The two teams are set to face each other on October 12, 2025, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, with Spain likely to start as favorites given their head-to-head record and recent performance.

The odds are stacked against Georgia, given Spain's dominant head-to-head record and recent form. However, Georgia might see an opportunity in Spain's injury woes, particularly with Lamine Yamal's absence due to insufficient recovery. This could potentially impact Spain's attacking dynamics and create a chance for Georgia to exploit.

Barcelona's decision to keep Yamal out of the squad might also affect team dynamics, potentially creating tension. Nonetheless, Spain's depth and quality suggest they'll still pose a significant threat to Georgia. The match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Georgia looking to capitalize on any weaknesses in the Spanish lineup.

Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal is out, and Spain's squad has taken a hit with several key players sidelined due to injuries. Nico Williams, Rodri, Gavi, Dean Huijsen, and Fabian Ruiz are also unavailable, forcing Luis de la Fuente to get creative with his lineup. Normally, these players would be shoo-ins for the starting XI, but with their absence, Spain's coach needs to reshuffle his pack and potentially adapt his system.

Georgia's Path to Upsetting Spain

This shake-up could impact Spain's strategy against Georgia, especially with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri missing from the squad. Hansi Flick's criticism of Spain's handling of Yamal adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation. Despite these challenges, Spain remains the favorite to win, given their strong head-to-head record against Georgia.

Georgia's Confidence Boost

Georgia is riding high after a 3-0 win over Bulgaria, and they'll look to build on that momentum against Spain. Despite Spain's strong head-to-head record, Georgia's recent performance shows they can compete with top teams. Spain, meanwhile, will need to overcome the absence of key players like Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

Spain's squad depth will be crucial in this match, with players like Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal in top form. Oyarzabal's three assists in the game against Turkey demonstrate his importance to the team. Georgia will need to be solid defensively and capitalize on any mistakes to cause an upset.

Georgia's recent form suggests they're capable of pulling off a surprise against Spain. With four wins in their last six games, they've scored 16 goals, showcasing their attacking prowess and boosting their confidence. This impressive performance could make them a formidable opponent, especially if Spain lets their guard down.

While Spain is the favorite, Georgia's momentum might just be enough to catch them off guard. Georgia's upcoming match against Spain promises to be an exciting encounter, with Georgia looking to make a statement in the World Cup qualifiers. The match is scheduled for October 11, 2025, at the Estadio Martínez Valero in Elche, Spain.

Kvaratskhelia's Fitness a Concern for Georgia

Georgia's coach, Willy Sagnol, faces a significant challenge with star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's injury status. Despite being included in the squad, Kvaratskhelia's fitness is in doubt, and his absence would be a significant blow to Georgia's chances against Spain. Kvaratskhelia has been a key player for Georgia, scoring crucial goals and providing creativity in attack.

Without Kvaratskhelia, Georgia will rely on other talented players like Georges Mikautadze, Nika Gagnidze, and Zuriko Davitashvili to create scoring opportunities. Mikautadze's form for Villarreal has been impressive, and he'll look to replicate that against Spain. Gagnidze and Davitashvili will also play crucial roles in midfield, where they'll need to outmaneuver their Spanish counterparts to create chances for Georgia.

Giorgi Chakvetadze's absence due to a stress fracture in his foot is another significant blow to Georgia's lineup. Despite this setback, the team has consistently demonstrated a strong defensive strategy under Willy Sagnol's guidance, prioritizing compact midfield positioning and swift counter-attacks.

Under Sagnol's leadership, Georgia has developed a reputation for being defensively solid while also showcasing the ability to catch opponents off guard with quick transitions. This approach has been key to their success, allowing them to compete against stronger opponents.

With Chakvetadze out, Georgia will need to rely on other talented players to fill the gap and maintain their team's cohesion and effectiveness on the pitch.

🤩🇬🇪 Full Time pic.twitter.com/p1uPtDH7Hz

— Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) September 7, 2025

Georgia's Tactical Approach

Georgia's best chance of a shock result lies in employing a low block, which would require them to defend deeply and compactly. Although this approach might go against their usual style, it could pay off against Spain. La Roja have historically struggled against teams that park the bus and look to counter-attack.

By defending narrowly and compactly, Georgia can limit Spain's space to play and force them into long-range shots or errors. This approach would also allow Georgia to catch Spain off guard with quick counter-attacks, potentially leading to scoring opportunities. Given Spain's attacking prowess, Georgia's defensive solidity will be put to the test 

A major concern for Georgia is sustaining a low-block defense for the entire 90 minutes against Spain's relentless attack. Given their limited defensive capabilities, it might be challenging for them to maintain this strategy without tiring or conceding opportunities to Spain.

While Spain is the favorite to win, Georgia's determination and work ethic should not be underestimated. With the right mindset, they could potentially cause an upset or at least make the match more competitive than expected. The outcome ultimately depends on how well Georgia can execute their game plan and capitalize on any mistakes Spain might make.

Match Prediction

Given Spain's strong form and Georgia's historical struggles against them, a Spanish victory seems likely. However, Georgia's determination and potential tactical approach might just lead to an upset or at least a closely contested match.