Gavi ACL Injury Spoils Spain's Win Over Georgia
Spain beat Georgia 3-1 on Sunday to finish top of Group A in Euro 2024 qualifying.
La Roja will therefore be among the top-seeded teams for next summer's tournament.
Ferran Torres assisted Robin Le Normand for Spain's opening goal at Valladolid's Estadio Jose Zorrilla.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalized for Georgia before Torres netted to restore Spain's lead in the 55th minute.
Torres celebrated his goal by holding up the jersey of Spain and Barcelona teammate Gavi.
Ferran Torres pictured holding up the jersey of Spain teammate Gavi after scoring in a 3-1 win over Georgia
IMAGO/NurPhoto/Jose Breton
Nineteen-year-old Gavi, who had been making his 27th senior international appearance, had earlier left the field in tears.
Gavi was subbed off midway through the first half with a serious knee injury.
That injury - which was later diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament tear - occurred when Gavi's right knee jarred under his bodyweight after he had controlled a high pass on his chest.
Spain's third goal of the game arrived in the 72nd minute. It was an own goal scored by Luka Lochoshvili.
Elsewhere in Group A on Sunday, Scotland drew 3-3 with Norway in Glasgow.
Spain won the group with 21 points, ahead of Scotland on 17.
