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Mikel Oyarzabal stars as Spain remain perfect in World Cup qualifying, Belgium held

BARCELONA, Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain maintained their perfect form in World Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win in Georgia on Saturday as they closed in on a berth at next year’s showpiece tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s side has scored 19 times while conceding zero goals in five group victories. The European champion are poised to wrap up a spot in the finals when they meet Turkiye on Tuesday in their last qualifier. Spain lead Group E by three points over Turkiye, which beat Bulgaria 2-0 on Saturday. The only way the Turks could pip Spain for the top spot and grab a direct ticket to the World Cup would be by winning in Seville by a huge margin. A tiebreaker would be decided by goal difference. Spain is on +19, while Turkiye is on +5. The home side didn’t miss injured stars Lamine Yamal, Pedri González or Rodri against the overmatched Georgia. The Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal led Spain with his two goals and an assist.

Belgium have not been good enough in World Cup qualifiers, says Doku

ASTANA :A disappointed Jeremy Doku said Belgium have not been good enough in most of their World Cup qualifiers, even though they have the routine task of needing to beat tiny Liechtenstein at home on Tuesday to secure a berth at next year's finals.

Estevao, Casemiro on target for Brazil in Senegal win

LONDON: Brazil beat fellow World Cup qualifiers Senegal 2-0 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Saturday thanks to goals from teenager Estevao and veteran Casemiro. Carlo Ancelotti’s team, featuring a mouthwatering attacking combination of Estevao, Matheus Cunha, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, dominated the first half of the friendly in London. Manchester United’s Cunha headed against the bar as Brazil took a firm grip on the game but Chelsea’s Estevao gave the South Americans the lead they deserved in the 28th minute. The 18-year-old was fortunate that the ball fell to his feet on the right side of Brazil’s attack but he produced an unerring finish across Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into the far corner. It was his fourth goal in his 10th game for Brazil and another reminder that he could be one to watch at next year’s World Cup in North America. Captain Casemiro, 33, doubled Brazil’s lead in the 35th minute, beautifully controlling a free-kick from Rodrygo and curling the ball into the top corner after finding space at the back post. Iliman Ndiaye should have pulled one back for the West African team shortly after the break after sloppy play from Brazil goalkeeper Ederson but hit the outside of the post. Two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane was unable to provide the spark his team needed and was withdrawn in the 75th minute, one of a number of changes for both teams. Five-time world champions Brazil reached next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States after a lacklustre campaign in which they finished fifth in South American qualifying. Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, beat Mauritania last month to seal their spot at the World Cup.

Evan Ferguson to miss Hungary game with ankle injury

Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson will miss tomorrow's crucial World Cup qualifier against Hungary.

Osimhen seeks more goals as Nigeria eye World Cup survival

JOHANNESBURG: Prolific Nigeria scorer Victor Osimhen could be the key figure when they tackle the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in a fight for 2026 World Cup qualifying survival in Rabat. The winners of the African play-offs final advance to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico during March that involves each football region except Europe. But the losers will bow out of the contest to be among the record 48 nations that take part in the global showpiece hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nigeria and DR Congo were among four countries given a second chance to qualify after being the best runners-up from nine African groups. In the semifinals on Thursday, Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored twice in extra time as Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 while Chancel Mbemba snatched a late 1-0 win for DR Congo over Cameroon. Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, scored a hat-trick last month in a 4-0 triumph over Benin that enabled Nigeria to squeeze into the play-offs. The 26-year-old, who continues to wear a protective mask after suffering serious facial injuries four years ago, posed a constant threat against Gabon and could have notched six goals. On several occasions he came agonizingly close to scoring before, in the last of 12 minutes added time, he fired wide with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat. “I was gutted after failing to score from that opportunity.

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Mikel Oyarzabal stars as Spain remain perfect in World Cup qualifying, Belgium held

Belgium have not been good enough in World Cup qualifiers, says Doku

Estevao, Casemiro on target for Brazil in Senegal win

Evan Ferguson to miss Hungary game with ankle injury

Osimhen seeks more goals as Nigeria eye World Cup survival

Popovic says Australia must improve after Venezuela defeat

Liechtenstein v Wales LIVE: Kick-off time, TV channel, team news

No player assured of spot in US World Cup squad, says Pochettino