ZURICH – Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Scotland and Switzerland are all within touching distance of a flight to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in central and North America after Saturday’s latest round of European group qualification ties.

European champions Spain thrashed Georgia 4-0 in Tbilisi. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal plus strikes from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres lifted them on to a maximum 15 points from five Group E games with 19 goals scored and none conceded.

Second-placed Turkey, who beat Bulgaria 2-0, would have to beat Spain 7-0 in Seville on Tuesday to finish as group winners and take the automatic qualification spot. At least the Turks are assured of a playoffs place.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are now unbeaten in 30 games stretching back to March 2023. This beat the record of 29 they shared with Vicente del Bosque’s golden generation between 2010 and 2013.

In Group J Belgium were defied by the brilliance of Kazakhstan goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov in a 1-1 draw in Astana. Belgium are still poised to win the group by winning at home to Liechtenstein on Tuesday. The draw left them two points clear of second-placed North Macedonia.

Belgium had to come from behind after Kazakhstan, who were down to 10 men for the last 11 minutes, scored early through 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev before Hans Vanaken equalised early in the second half.

Kazakhstan were down to 10 men when Islam Chesnokov was dismissed for a trip from behind on Doku. Initially he was shown a yellow card but after a review Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas upgraded it to red.

Belgium thought they had won the game, and secured World Cup qualification, in the last minute when Nicolas Raskin had a chance in front of goal but Anarbekov pulled off another point-blank save to deny him.

Group C saw Denmark surprisingly held 2-2 at home by Belarus, meaning they need only draw in Scotland to finish top of the group. Second-placed Scotland, who lost 3-2 in Greece, must win to overtake the Danes.

In Group B a 2-0 victory for Kosovo over Slovenia leaves Switzerland, who beat Sweden 4-1 on Friday, leading the table with a considerable goal difference. The Swiss are three points ahead of Kosovo and boast a goal difference of 12 compared with Kosovo’s one.

The Swedes, who replaced coach Jon Dahl Tomasson with Graham Potter, will still have a chance to qualify for the finals through a playoff spot secured in the UEFA Nations League.

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