Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo scored as Spain beat shock package deal Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday to achieve the quarter-finals the place they may face hosts Germany. Robin Le Normand's personal aim gave Georgia a shock lead within the 18th minute of this last-16 tie, sparking outrage in Cologne for his or her supporters. It was the primary aim Spain had conceded within the competitors, however they equalised six minutes earlier than the interval because of Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri. Ruiz then scored within the 51st minute and Williams added the third earlier than substitute Olmo made positive of the win as La Roja stay on their technique to turning into European champions for a fourth time.
Spain will now face Germany within the final eight in Stuttgart on Friday, a repeat of the Euro 2008 remaining, which they received 1-0 to start their golden period of dominance in worldwide soccer.
Luis de la Fuente's present facet wish to carry again their glory days and are anticipated to beat Georgia right here.
Had they transformed extra probabilities they may have in the end received by an even bigger margin, with 16-year-old winger Lamin Yamal lacking a number of probabilities in his bid to turn out to be the youngest ever goalscorer on the Euros.
Georgia are ranked 74th on the planet, 66 locations beneath Spain. Willy Sagnol's facet misplaced twice to Spain in qualifying, dropping 7-1 at house and 3-1 away.
But they first managed to qualify for the main event after which reached the knockout stage with a shocking 2-0 win over Portugal.
Sagnol mentioned on the eve of the match that his unpredictable facet had “already received the European Championship” because of their very good efficiency and would now go house with their heads held excessive regardless of in the end dropping right here.
They’ve a vigorous attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikoutadze, which is a risk to any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been among the best goalkeepers within the event.
Mamardashvili had already saved the ball from Pedri and stopped Dani Carvajal's very good header earlier than Georgia went forward.
The transfer began with a superb play from Kvaratskhelia, who had little area to play on the left wing however picked out a go for Mikoutadze, who then despatched Otar Kakabadze to the proper wing.
Kakabadze's cross into the field was poor for Le Normand, who obtained in behind Kvaratskhelia and couldn’t stop the ball from hitting him and going into the online, scoring his eighth personal aim at Euro 2024.
Spain had been now susceptible to counter-attacks, which is Georgia's power, however the red-uniformed gamers continued to dominate play and take a look at Mamardashvili.
The Valencia shot-stopper made a number of extra interventions in a fiery contest earlier than lastly getting the equaliser, Rodri controlling Williams' go on the sting of the field and volleying the ball into the nook.
It seemed like that could be the top for Georgia however they remained brave till halftime, with Kvaratskhelia nearly scoring from inside his personal half early within the second interval however his shot went large after goalkeeper Unai Simon was out of place.
Spain went forward quickly after when Yamal crossed from the proper and Ruiz scored his second aim of the event with a header on the again put up.
Yamal not solely missed their probabilities but in addition scored an personal aim which was dominated out for offside after which Georgia's defence was left in shambles underneath persistent heavy rain.
Ruiz discovered Williams, who had run from inside his half, earlier than beating Giorgi Gvalesiani within the field and heading the ball into the online to make it 3–1 within the seventy fifth minute.
Olmo accomplished the scoring with seven minutes remaining with an outstanding management and end from the sting of the field.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Subjects talked about on this article
