Road to Qatar: how Spain qualified for World Cup 2022 - in pictures

A look at how Luis Enrique's side secured their place at this year's finals

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  HOW SPAIN QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group B) March 25, 2021. Spain 1 (Morata 33') Greece 1 (Baksetas pen 57'): A frustrating start to the campaign for Luis Enrique's side with Greece scoring from their only attempt on goal after substitute Inigo Martinez conceded a penalty for a rash tackle. Luis Enrique said: "I don't like the result and we weren't inspired either. But I did like our attitude and the tempo of play that the team tried to produce. Whenever we got near the Greek penalty area, however, we lacked sharpness and efficacy." AFP

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  March 28, 2021. Georgia 1 (Kvaratskhelia 44') Spain 2 (Torres 56', Olmo 90'+2'): An injury-time goal from striker Dani Olmo secured an unconvincing victory for Spain, who recovered after falling behind just before half-time. Luis Enrique said: "Georgia surprised me because of how well they did. But I think we deserved the win and even if we didn't deserve it, I really couldn't care right now." AFP

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  March 31, 2021. Spain 3 (Olmo 34', Torres 36', Moreno 75') Kosovo 1 (Halimi 70'): Two wins on the spin for a dominant Spain with Dani Olmo back among the goals and Manchester City's Ferran Torres also on target. Spain midfielder Koke said: "We produced a great game. We were decisive in finding the key goals today. We have to keep working, because there is a lot of room for improvement." AFP

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  September 2, 2021. Sweden 2 (Isak 5', Claesson 57') Spain 1 (Soler 4'): A remarkable 66-game run was over as Spain fell to their first World Cup qualifying defeat since losing to Denmark in 1993. Spain had won 52 World Cup qualifiers and drawn the other 14 since that loss. Spain defender Jordi Alba said: "We have no margin for error now. We need to improve things. There's still a lot to play for, difficult matches - and we need to win them.” AFP

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  September 5, 2021. Spain 4 (Gaya 14', Soler 25', Torres 41', Sarabia 63') Georgia 0: A return to winning ways for Spain who produced an entertaining performance in Badajoz. Torres, who impressied again in a central attacking role, said: "We came into this game following a defeat that hurt us a lot and we managed to bounce back. A result like this spurs us on and it was important to keep a clean sheet because goal difference could be key at the business end."

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  September 8, 2021. Kosovo 0 Spain 2 (Fornals 32', Torres 88'): Spain opened up a four-point lead at the top, having played two more than second-placed Sweden, with Torres back among the goals and West Ham United midfielder Pablo Fornals scoring on his full debut. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon said: "It was the most difficult match in the group. It is a team with a lot of personality that has deserved better luck in this qualifying phase." EPA

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  November 11, 2021. Greece 0 Spain 1 (Sarabia pen 26'): A scoreline that flattered the home side in Athens as Pablo Sarabia's first-half penalty sealed a win that left Spain needing a point from their final group game against Sweden to qualify. Luis Enrique said: "We are playing against a good side [in Sweden] that, in theory, is going to attack us more. We will not aim to draw, but to win. As we do always." AFP

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  November 14, 2021. Spain 1 (Morata 86') Sweden 0: Alvaro Morata's late goal secured Spain's spot in the Qatar finals and condemned Sweden to what would be a doomed bid to qualify via the play-offs. The Spaniards maintained their run of reaching every World Cup since 1974. Luis Enrique said: "I’ve felt much more pressure in this last few games than in the Euros or Nations League. It’s taken a 100 kilo rucksack off my back." Reuters

A World Cup just would not feel like a World Cup without the red shirts of Spain being in the mix.

Luis Enrique's side finished top of Group B, taking 19 points from eight games, although their spot wasn't guaranteed until they defeated second-placed Sweden in their final match.

And the campaign was not without its glitches as the team lost a World Cup qualifier for the first time since 1993.

Ferran Torres, who left Manchester City to join Barcelona in January 2022, top scored for the Spaniards with four goals in qualifying.

Spain have now qualified for 12 consecutive World Cup finals. They won the tournament in 2010 when they were also the reigning European champions.

In Qatar, Spain are drawn in Group E along with Costa Rica, Germany and Japan.

In the gallery above, you can see how Spain qualified for the finals that kick-off on November 20. To view the next image, click on the arrows or just swipe if on a mobile device.

Spain's fixtures in Qatar 2022

November 23 Spain v Costa Rica – Al Thumama Stadium (8pm KO UAE)

November 27 Spain v Germany – Al Bayt Stadium (11pm)

December 1 Japan v Spain – Khalifa International Stadium (11pm)