Soccer-Soldado rescues Spain with late strike in Georgia

TBILISI, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Roberto Soldado snatched a late

winner as Spain began the defence of their world title with a

1-0 victory away to an ultra-defensive Georgia in a Group I

qualifier on Tuesday.

Handed a rare start ahead of Fernando Torres and David

Villa, Soldado fluffed one chance in the first half in Tbilisi

but made no mistake from close range when set up by substitute

Cesc Fabregas in the 86th minute.

It was cruel on the home side, who had held out stubbornly

against their illustrious visitors despite seeing precious

little of the ball and losing goalkeeper Giorgi Loria to injury

with around 20 minutes left.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque threw on Pedro, Santi Cazorla

and Fabregas in search of a breakthrough and it was Fabregas who

finally unlocked the Georgia defence with a low cross that

Soldado turned past substitute keeper Roin Kvaskhvadze.