Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 10:40 PM• Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk • Last update: 22:50

Spain did well in the qualifying phase for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday evening. National coach Luis Enrique’s team won the difficult away game against Kosovo 0-2 and saw Sweden at the same time make the first misstep by losing 2-1 to John van ‘t Schip’s Greece. Spain leads the dance in Group B with thirteen points from six matches, while Sweden has four points less but also two games less.

Spain played a good first half in which Kosovo caused some danger in the opening phase, partly because the defense of the visitors was not always on the alert. However, Kosovo could not take advantage of this. Luis Enrique’s team struggled to get through the Kosovar defense and went into halftime with a 0-1 lead thanks to a good play by Pablo Fornals. The starting debutant turned well away from his opponent and then shot the ball well into the goal with the left.

First basic debut, first international goal?
Pablo Fornals gives Spain a 0-1 lead ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ2022 #KOSESP pic.twitter.com/VzfENfzyo4

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 8, 2021

The minimal difference on the scoreboard was a guarantee for a lot of tension in the second half. Thanks in part to an excellent save by goalkeeper Unai Simon on a bet by Sinan Bytyqi, Spain remained standing and eventually the 0-2 fell in the final minutes. Ferran Torres’ goal was initially disallowed for offside, but VAR brought justice.

Only the number one in the group qualifies directly for the World Cup in Qatar. The numbers two from the ten different groups and the two best group winners from the 2020/21 Nations League who fall outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group will participate in the play-offs. The total of twelve countries will be divided into three play-off paths, each containing two semi-finals over one match and one final. The home teams in the play-offs are determined by drawing lots, with the six best numbers two placed and therefore unable to meet. The winner of each path qualifies for the World Cup.