Holders Spain moved to the brink of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals when captain Xavi and substitute Alvaro Negredo struck in a laboured 2-1 win at home to Belarus in Group I on Friday.
The victory in Palma de Mallorca puts Spain three points clear of France with one match to play and a point against lowly Georgia in Albacete on Tuesday will secure the world and European champions a berth at the tournament in Brazil.
Spain dominated possession against an ultra-defensive Belarus, who are bottom of the group, but struggled to create clear chances until Xavi broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area that left goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor rooted to the spot.
Centre back Sergio Ramos was the unlikely creator of Spain's second goal 12 minutes from time when he found himself on the right wing and clipped over a perfect cross for Negredo to send a superb diving header low into the corner.
Sergei Kornilenko pulled a goal back for Belarus in the 89th minute from one of their few forays forward but it was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.
"We weren't effective enough with the final pass but in the end we got the win and it's a very important step towards the World Cup," Xavi said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Telecinco.
"Alvaro's goal gave us some breathing room and at the end the Belarus goal gave us a bit of a shock but it turned out fine," he added.
"It's tough when teams shut up shop at the back with all 10 players in their half."
Xavi was captaining the side in the absence of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has fallen out of favour at his club Real Madrid and was replaced in the starting lineup by Xavi's Barcelona team mate Victor Valdes.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque also handed a debut to Michu but the Swansea City forward made little impact before being replaced by Negredo in the 57th minute.
With most of Spain's attacks foundering against a massed Belarus defence, Del Bosque brought off left back Nacho Monreal at halftime and replaced him with Andres Iniesta.
The switch gave the home side even more control and their latest success continued their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers at home.
France, who are assured of a playoff place, play their final qualifier at home to Finland on Tuesday.
The victory in Palma de Mallorca puts Spain three points clear of France with one match to play and a point against lowly Georgia in Albacete on Tuesday will secure the world and European champions a berth at the tournament in Brazil.
Spain dominated possession against an ultra-defensive Belarus, who are bottom of the group, but struggled to create clear chances until Xavi broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area that left goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor rooted to the spot.
Centre back Sergio Ramos was the unlikely creator of Spain's second goal 12 minutes from time when he found himself on the right wing and clipped over a perfect cross for Negredo to send a superb diving header low into the corner.
Sergei Kornilenko pulled a goal back for Belarus in the 89th minute from one of their few forays forward but it was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.
"We weren't effective enough with the final pass but in the end we got the win and it's a very important step towards the World Cup," Xavi said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Telecinco.
"Alvaro's goal gave us some breathing room and at the end the Belarus goal gave us a bit of a shock but it turned out fine," he added.
"It's tough when teams shut up shop at the back with all 10 players in their half."
Xavi was captaining the side in the absence of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has fallen out of favour at his club Real Madrid and was replaced in the starting lineup by Xavi's Barcelona team mate Victor Valdes.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque also handed a debut to Michu but the Swansea City forward made little impact before being replaced by Negredo in the 57th minute.
With most of Spain's attacks foundering against a massed Belarus defence, Del Bosque brought off left back Nacho Monreal at halftime and replaced him with Andres Iniesta.
The switch gave the home side even more control and their latest success continued their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers at home.
France, who are assured of a playoff place, play their final qualifier at home to Finland on Tuesday.
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