Sweden stun Spain, which suffers 1st loss in World Cup qualifiers since 1993

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Sweden beat Spain 2-1 Thursday in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with the Spaniards suffering their first World Cup qualifying defeat since 1993.

The victory was a valuable one for Sweden as the team from northern Europe ended former World and European champions Spain's 66-game unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifiers and topped Group B.

Spanish midfielder Carlos Soler scored a close range goal in the fifth minute to draw first blood at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden.

Home team Sweden gave a quick reply as Alexander Isak fired a low shot to equalize a minute later.

Swedish midfielder Viktor Claesson netted the winning goal with a right-footed strike in the area for his team in the 57th minute as Sweden came back from a 1-0 deficit.

Leaders Sweden have nine points, winning all three of their matches in Group B.

The 2010 World Cup winners Spain are now in second position with seven points which they bagged in four matches.

Group B also includes Kosovo, Greece and Georgia.

The three have little hopes of winning the group where Sweden and Spain are the heavyweights.

Kosovo have three points and Greece have two points. Underdogs Georgia are at the bottom of the group with one point in four games.

Only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The runners-up will face the playoff stage to fight for limited tickets for Qatar 2022.