SPAIN are a step closer to qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after their demolition of Germany on Sunday.
'Los Leones' – 'The Lions' – beat their central European rivals, 'The Eagles', by 84-10 at Madrid's Complutense University stadium in front of over 15,000 fans, and have just one match left to win to guarantee their first trip to the World Cup in 20 years.
Closely watched by King Felipe VI of Spain and Education, Culture and Sports Minister Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, captain Jaime Nava and his team battled to their best result since December 1996 when they beat Belgium 77-0.
They earned a Mexican wave from their fans as they scored 12 tries to Germany's one to dispatch 'The Eagles' and seal an easy victory that they dedicated to the King, who immediately ran down onto the pitch to congratulate his national team.
Before the match went ahead, a minute's silence was held for the victims of the Madrid train bombings exactly 14 years ago that day (Sunday, March 11).
The Spanish can clinch their ticket to Japan with success in their next outing, against Belgium next Saturday. 'Los Leones' are lying second in their qualifying group on 26 points. Romania top the table with 29 points, but have completed all their games, including a defeat to Spain last month, meaning success in Brussels would lift 'Los Leones' to the top of the table.
