Alvaro Morata came off the bench for the Spanish national team to net an 86th-minute winner at a tense La Cartuja and ensure his squad’s automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Qatar. Group B top spot was very much up in question ahead of kick-off in the match against visitors Sweden.Boss of the north-European’s Janne Andersson hoped that sending in Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 73rd minute of the match would have left a similar impact as Morata. It was far from it.With the loss against Spain, Sweden will have to go through play-offs where two games will be played. In the first one, there will be no Zlatan on the pitch because of his recklessness last night.Ibrahimovic will miss the first leg of Sweden’s World Cup qualifying play-off in March through suspension after brutally flooring Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta with a shoulder charge.As everyone’s intention was focused on the corner from the left, the AC Milan forward took held nothing back when his shoulder smashed into the back of the 32-year-old Chelsea skipper.NOOOO ATROPELLARON A AZPI 😱😱😭😭😡😡 pic.twitter.com/8Dw5wysLcr— Falcons (@Falcons) November 14, 2021 Ibrahimovic’s former team-mate from 2009-10 Barcelona season – Sergio Busquets – went straight to the German referee Felix Brych as Zlatan managed to escape immediate sanctioning.However, even though none of the TV cameras caught Ibrahimovic being shown the yellow card, reports in Norway confirm he was booked by the referee.Ibrahimovic is listed with a booking off-camera, and with this being his second caution in qualifying, the rules state he is now set to miss the first game of the qualifier in March – UEFA’s official match report additionally stated.Meanwhile, Azpilicueta took to social media after the game to confirm he is fine and fully recovered from the tackle.Ghana, Senegal, Mali headline latest teams on course for 2022 World CupSpain boss Luis Enrique claimed he felt more pressure during Spain’s World Cup qualification campaign than at Euro 2020 or the latter stages of the Nations League. Last night’s victory held on to ensure passage into the group stages of next year’s winter tournament.’I have taken off a 100 kilo backpack,’ he said via Mundo Deportivo. ‘I have felt more pressure in this qualifying phase than in the Euros or the ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League.’I have taken a great weight off my shoulders. I am focused on having a good World Cup and I know that if a coach does not win, he receives criticism.’This is how this wonderful circus of football can be and I accept it.’Along with Spain, sure travelers to the World Cup so far are Qatar (hosts), Germany, Denmark, Brazil, France, Belgium, Serbia and Croatia, respectively.
