Georgia

2.89

• 
  11

  2

  4.00

  Giorgi Loria

  Always alert when called upon, and made two crucial stops at the end of the first half to thwart Xavi and Soldado. Unfortunate to be taken off with an injury in the second half after colliding with a team-mate.

• 
  7

  1

  3.50

  Alexander Amisulashvili

  Seemed to be everywhere at the back, and was always willing to provide help to his teammates whenever they were faced with a one-on-one against a Spanish player. Had a chance for glory early in the second half, but unfortunately for him, his shot from inside the box struck the post.

• 
  6

  1

  3.00

  Davit Kvirkvelia

  Coped well on the left hand side of defence, nullifying the threat of Arbeloa and forcing Silva to drift infield to find a way through.

• 
  6

  1

  2.00

  Guram Kashia

  A decent job providing cover in his own half, and was not afraid to put his foot about and ruffle a few Spanish feathers.

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  Ucha Lobjanidze

  His individual performance did not stand out to any great effect, but it was his part in the collective defensive effort that was most important.

• 
  5

  3

  1.50

  Zurab Khizanishvili

  One slip almost cost his side dear when Soldaldo raced through on goal, but Loria spared his blushes.

• 
  6

  1

  3.00

  David Targamadze

  Solid play on the right, but his cause was often aided by help from his team-mates, meaning that he rarely faced a Spanish attacker alone. Involved in the Georgia break that led to Amisulashvili’s shot that hit the post.

• 
  6

  1

  3.00

  Jaba Kankava

  Saw precious little of the ball, but his work defensively of the ball was commendable.

• 
  6

  1

  3.00

  Murtaz Daushvili

  Played effectively as another centre-back today, as Spain’s dominance of possession forced him deeper and deeper.

• 
  7

  1

  3.50

  Tornike Okriashvili

  His pace was the sole offensive threat for the home side. He rarely came close to finding an opening, but his quick bursts from the back was instrumental in relieving the pressure on his team, and giving the home fans something to cheer.

• 
  5

  2

  1.50

  Levan Mchedlidze

  Forced to battle with Pique and Ramos for scraps for most of the game. Never really had any great amount of time on the ball.

Substitutions

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  Roin Kvaskhvadze

  Not much action after replacing Loria in goal for the closing stages of the match.

• 
  6

  2

  3.50

  Nika Dzalamidze

  Helped to shore up the defence in the second half.

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  Irakli Shekiladze

  Did not make much of an impact in his short spell.

Spain

3.11

• 
  8

  7

  3.00

  Iker Casillas

  Could have probably headed to the locker room for a shower in the first half and no one would have noticed. Nothing to do for most of the game.

• 
  4

  7

  2.00

  Arbeloa Flop of the Match

  Never given any cause for concern in his own half of the pitch, but was uninspiring in the opposition half, although Georgia’s deep defensive line made it near impossible for him to overlap.

• 
  7

  5

  2.50

  Jordi Alba

  As is his wont in one-sided games such as this, Alba effectively functioned as a winger, and spent most of his time camped in an advanced position on the left, but to precious little effect.

• 
  9

  7

  2.50

  Piqué

  Apart from winning a few defensive headers off hopeful punts from defense, he had little to do, but one Georgia break early in the second half saw him struggle to clear.

• 
  6

  9

  3.00

  Sergio Ramos

  Long spells of ball watching was the order of the day for Ramos, who was never tested. As usual, he provided a threat offensively from set pieces, and one such header was the first real chance of the match.

• 
  9

  6

  2.50

  Busquets

  Very little need for his usual function as a defensive pivot in this fixture, and the Barca man was taken off relatively early as Del Bosque looked for a more forward-thinking midfielder.

• 
  9

  8

  3.50

  David Silva

  Buzzed around the outskirts of the penalty area throughout, and despite picking the ball up in a few dangerous positions, was usually crowded out before he could strike a fatal blow. However, he was unfortunate to see a fabulous shot from distance ricochet back off the inside of the post with the keeper beaten.

• 
  11

  5

  3.50

  Andrés Iniesta Luján

  A little more proactive on the ball than the rest of Spain’s static midfield, but that is what we have come to expect from Iniesta. Weaved his way into threatening spaces, but the sheer numbers at the back from the hosts were at times an obstacle.

• 
  9

  9

  3.50

  Xabi Alonso

  Georgia parked the bus squarely in front of their goal, meaning that Alonso found himself in a more advanced position than normal. Despite this, he played it relatively safe, and was disciplined, yet not overly ambitious in his passing.

• 
  9

  6

  3.00

  Xavi

  Much of his offensive production seemed dedicated to providing Soldado with the clipped ball over the top, an endeavour which seldom bore fruit, save for one pinpoint pass to the Valencia man moments before half-time. Struggled, in general, to find a telling gap in the Georgia ranks, though came close at the end of the first half with a long-range drive.

• 
  12

  18

  4.50

  Roberto Soldado Top of the Match

  Was rarely able to get on the end of anything significant, save for one chance at the end of the first half that was blocked by Loria. It was set to be an extremely frustrating game for him, but with one opening in the 86th minute, he sliced home to redeem both himself and his team.

Substitutions

• 
  11

  7

  3.00

  Santi Cazorla

  A few good touches on the ball, but the Arsenal man found pickings to be as slim as the rest of his teammates.

• 
  18

  6

  4.00

  Cesc Fàbregas

  Provided the all-important assist for Soldado’s late winner. Positive cameo.

• 
  4

  9

  3.00

  Pedro

  Got into a few good positions, but was unable to make his presence really felt as Georgia closed him down well.