France 3 - Belarus 1; Spain 1 - Georgia 0

Tbilisi was were Spain began their journey to defend the FIFA World Cup began as they visited Georgia in their opener.  Spain were the last of the thirty-two finalists from South Africa 2010 to begin their journey to Brasil 2014.  Spain were the only team that caused any danger offensively in the match, but Georgia proved a tough nut to crack.  Two minutes before the half hour hit, David Silva fired a shot off the far post.  The minute before the half ended saw a Xavi Hernandez shot tipped over by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.  One minute later in stoppage time, Loria saved a one-on-one against Roberto Soldado.  Somehow, the half ended with no goals having been scored.

Georgia nearly stole a lead when defender Aleksandr Amisulashvili curled a shot with the inside of his foot onto Spain's far post.  Loria took a heavy blow to his head midway through the period and had to be substituted off the field after several minutes of suffering.  Spain finally capitalized on one of their many chances with only four minutes remaining in regulation when a Cesc Fabregas pass was one-timed into the net by Soldado. Georgia refused to roll over and forced a last-gasp block from Sergio Ramos (pictured, red #15) to preserve Spanish victory.  Spain win 1-0.

Saint-Denis was the site of France's home opener with Belarus looking to crash the party.  The opening half demanded that Belarus play on their back foot the entire time, but luckily their goalkeeper Sergei Veremko was up to the task.  France defender Mamadou Sakho will not be inviting Veremko to any parties after he was denied on two occasions from scoring for France.  The half ended scoreless.

Belarus finally found an offense at the resumption of play, but France goalkeeper Hugo Llloris was up to the challenge.  Etienne Capoue scored his first international goal for France two minutes after his goalkeeper had been called into action.  Franck Ribery had picked up a weak poke from a seated Belarusian defender and then slotted into space for an onrushing Capoue who did the rest to make it 1-0.  Christophe Jallet scored his first goal for Les Bleus on a misfired cross twenty minutes after their opener.  Right back Jallet was looking to find the head of his teammate, but his cross was hit seven yards too far to the right and ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar for a lucky 2-0 lead.  Four minutes after Jallet's good fortune, Belarus had revived hope when Mapou Yanga tripped up his man in the box.  Sergei Kornilenko stepped up to take the penalty.  Lloris saved his effort low and to the right, but the rebound was knocked home through the legs of Lloris, pulling Belarus to within one goal at 2-1.  With ten minutes remaining, Karim Benzema set up Ribery for a chipped goal over an oncoming Veremko for a stylish third goal.  France win 3-1.

France 6 pts +3
Spain 3 pts +1
Georgia 3 pts 0
Finland 0 pts -1
Belarus 0 pts -3

Goals
Spain
Roberto Soldado 86

France
Etienne Capoue 49
Christophe Jallet 68
Franck Ribery 80

Belarus
Anton Putilo 72

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699502/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699972/index.html
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/80705/georgia-vs-spain/report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699923/index.html
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/20220912france_beats_belarus_3-1_in_world_cup_qualifier/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVyYbft3O0 (Spain v. Georgia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYjwmohv4I (France v. Belarus)