Spain left it late to confirm their spot at Qatar 2022 as they secured automatic qualification from Group B in their final game against Sweden thanks to an 86th winner from Alvaro Morata.
An opening game draw against Greece could have been considered a wobble by La Roja, and the worry racked up even more after a 2-1 defeat away in Sweden. However, four straight wins to close out their campaign, including narrow wins over Greece and Sweden was enough to secure a sixteenth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
History at the World Cup
1934 – Quarter-finals
1950 – Fourth place
1962 – Group Stage
1966 – Group Stage
1978 – Group Stage
1982 – Round 2
1986 – Quarter-finals
1990 – Round of 16
1994 – Quarter-finals
1988 – Group Stage
2002 – Quarter-finals
2006 – Round of 16
2010 – Champions
2014 – Group Stage
2018 – Round of 16
Player to Watch
Talented Barcelona youngster Pedri has become essential for club and country at just 19 years old. The midfielder was named the Euro 2020 Young Player of the Tournament and was in the Team of the Tournament after a string of brilliant performances which helped Spain reach the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Italy. In 2022 Pedri has improved his finishing, which was the one area of his game which needed work, and he will be Spain’s creative hub in Qatar.
Group fixtures:
November 23: Spain v Costa Rica – Al Thumama
November 27: Spain v Germany – Al Bayt
December 1: Japan v Spain – Khalifa International Stadium
