Spain and Switzerland on brink of World Cup qualification but Scotland lose

Steve Clarke's side must now beat Denmark in Glasgow on Tuesday night to finish top.

Scotland fans in the stands react to a missed chance during the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying match at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Greece. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.

Spain all but secured their place in the World Cup finals after a 4-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi saw Luis de la Fuente’s side set a new national record of 30 matches unbeaten.

Mikel Oyarzabal, on his 50th international appearance, set the European champions on their way with an 11th-minute penalty, given following a VAR review.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi soon doubled the lead and Ferran Torres added a third before half-time, with Oyarzabal scoring another just after the hour.

Spain are three points clear of Turkey – who beat bottom side Bulgaria 2-0 in in Bursa – at the top of Group E, with the two teams meeting in their final qualifier in Seville on Tuesday.

Graham Potter’s first match in charge of Sweden ended with a 4-1 defeat away to Switzerland, who are three points clear at the top of Group B and another team on the brink of qualification.

Breel Embolo put the home side ahead at Stade de Geneve, before Celtic winger Benjamin Nygren equalised ahead of half-time.

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka restored Switzerland’s lead from the penalty spot on the hour, with Dan Ndoye adding a third before Johan Manzambi slotted in during added time.

Kosovo maintained hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance with a 2-0 win over 10-man Slovenia in Ljubljana, but look set for runners-up spot given Switzerland’s superior goal difference ahead of their match in Pristina next week.

Scotland’s hopes of automatic qualification from Group C suffered a setback with a 3-2 defeat in Greece, despite a late fightback.

Steve Clarke’s men found themselves 3-0 down just after the hour after goals from Anastasios Bakasetas, Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis.

Ben Gannon-Doak and then Ryan Christie reduced the deficit to sent up a grandstand finish, but a late equaliser just would not come, even after Bakasetas was sent off in the closing stages.

Scotland must now beat Denmark – who were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Belarus – in Glasgow on Tuesday night to finish top.

Belgium were also held to a surprise 1-1 draw away in Kazakhstan, but remain on course for qualification at the top of Group J.

Wales kept themselves in contention for runner-up spot in the group after a second-half goal from Jordan James closed out a 1-0 away win over Liechtenstein – and now will need to beat North Macedonia in Cardiff next week to make the play-offs.

Marko Arnautovic scored twice as Austria won 2-0 in Cyprus to sit two points clear at the top of Group H.

Bosnia and Herzegovina beat 10-man Romania 3-1 in Zenica to also guarantee at least a play-off place ahead of their final match in Austria.