Oyarzabal double puts Spain on brink of World Cup
In-form striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain thrashed Georgia 4-0 away to set a national record and all but guarantee its place at next year's FIFA World Cup finals.
Spain's romp in Tbilisi, in which Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres also scored, put it on a maximum 15 points from five Group E games with 19 goals scored and none conceded.
Second-placed Turkey, which beat Bulgaria 2-0, would have to beat Spain 7-0 in Seville this week to finish as group winner and take the automatic qualification spot.
Luis de la Fuente's side is now unbeaten in 30 games – beating the record of 29 it shared with Vicente del Bosque's golden generation between 2010 and 2013.
Oyarzabal marked his 50th cap by opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute.
Alex Baena was denied by the base of the post but the European champion doubled its lead in the 22nd minute when Fabian Ruiz's slick pass set up Zubimendi for a cool finish.
It was all too easy for Spain and it cut through Georgia again in the 35th minute as Oyarzabal was played in by Baena before squaring for Torres to tap home.
Oyarzabal scored his eighth goal in his last eight appearances for Spain in the 63rd minute, guiding in a header from a deft cross by Torres.
"I'm happy to be able to help the team; we had to do our part," the Real Sociedad striker said.
"If I can contribute with a goal, great, and if not, the important thing is the team, that the national team keeps improving, and that's how we continue."
Defeat erased any hope Georgia had of a play-off place.
