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Greece 0-1 Spain: Sarabia's goal helps Red Fury reach top of group

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Spain are in pole position to qualify for the World Cup next year after beating Greece 1-0 in Athens on Thursday.

2021 World Cup qualification Europe

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Match Report

Pablo Sarabia's first-half penalty was enough to seal the three points as Luis Enrique's side took advantage of Sweden's slip up in Georgia to move top of Group B.

With one game to play, Spain now lead the way with 16 points, one clear of Sweden.

Spain host Sweden in Seville on Sunday, with the winner booking their place at Qatar 2022 next winter. A draw would now do for La Roja.

Sweden have led the group for the majority of the campaign after beating Spain but recent defeats to Greece and now Georgi have seen them give up their advantage.

They must now win in Spain after two second-half goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw them beaten in Georgia.

The loser of Sunday's match -- or Sweden in the event of a draw -- will enter a playoff for one of the remaining spots at the World Cup.

Spain's win in Greece was all the more impressive for the number of players they were missing through injury.

Marcos Llorente, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Gerard Moreno, Ansu Fati, Eric Garcia, Yeremi Pino and Mikel Merino all missed the Greece game.

However, Sarabia's early penalty proved enough to win the game, with Spain impressing in the first half and digging in after the break.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

19' CLOSE! Raul de Tomas misses a good chance

21' OFFSIDE! Masouras' goal disallowed

24' Penalty Goal! Greece 0-1 Spain (Sarabia)

36' CLOSE! Morata's shot saved

58' Yellow Card! Goutas booked

61' Gavi appears to be injured after sudden confront

77' Yellow Card! Carvajal booked

Line-ups

Greece XI: G. Tzavellas, P. Mandalos, Bouchalakis, E. Siopis, O. Vlachodimos, D. Goutas, D. Giannoulis, Masouras, Tsimikas, T. Androutsos, V. Pavlidis

Subs: A. Paschalakis, D. Pelkas, G. Athanasiadis, M. Saliakas, G. Kyriakopoulos, D. Limnios, M. Vrousai, A. Douvikas, C. Tzolis, G. Mitoglou, S. Alexandropoulos

Spain XI: Morata, Sarabia, Carvajal, I. Martinez, Koke, Raúl de Tomás, Laporte, Gaya, Unai Simón, Rodri, Gavi

Subs: Azpilicueta, Alba, Busquets, De Gea, Rodrigo, Mendez, Olmo, Soler, Fornals, P. Torres, Brahim, Robert Sanchez

Related: GreeceSpain