Valencia striker Roberto Soldado was delighted to prove Spain's matchwinner last night in Georgia.

Spain needed an 86th minute winner from Soldado to kickoff their World Cup defence with a victory.

"The important thing is the victory, that is what we were looking for and thanks to God I was able to score the goal that has given us three points," he said. "It is important to begin the qualification towards the World Cup in Brazil like this.

"It was difficult, especially to find spaces. The team was very quick in our circulation of the ball but they almost never moved, they were like a wall and never left their area.

"I had already missed one earlier and I hadn't forgotten about it so it was important to find another chance to score the goal that we were all looking for."