Spain booked their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Georgia in Sunday night’s entertaining contest in Cologne.
Georgia took a shock lead in the 18th minute of the match, with Robin Le Normand turning a low cross from Otar Kakabadze into the back of his own net from close range, and Willy Sagnol’s side were dreaming of another famous win after their success over Portugal last time out.
However, Spain levelled the scores shortly before the break courtesy of a brilliant strike from Rodri, before Fabian Ruiz headed an excellent Lamine Yamal cross into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to La Roja in the 51st minute.
A third then arrived for Luis de la Fuente’s side in the 75th minute through Nico Williams, before Dani Olmo scored a late fourth, and Spain will tackle tournament hosts Germany in the last eight of the competition on Friday evening, with the winner of that mouthwatering fixture progressing to the final four.
Spain were not placed among the pre-tournament favourites, but the three-time European champions have now won all four of their fixtures at Euro 2024 and will be confident heading into their clash with the hosts.
In Yamal and Williams, Spain have two of the outstanding young wingers in European football, and the pair were once again in sensational form on Sunday night.
Yamal set up Ruiz for Spain’s second of the match, before Williams netted his side’s third late on, and Germany will not relish coming up against the in-form duo in the quarter-finals of the competition.
In truth, it was a dominant performance from De la Fuente’s side, who certainly look capable of triumphing at this summer’s tournament.
Spain were impressive early on, and the first half-chance came for Pedri in the fifth minute, but the Barcelona midfielder’s effort was kept out by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Five minutes later, Mamardashvili was again called into action to keep out a header from Dani Carvajal, and some of the football from De la Fuente’s side in the early exchanges was a joy to watch.
However, Georgia, firmly against the run of play, took the lead in the 18th minute, as central defender Le Normand, under pressure from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, turned a cross from Kakabadze into the back of his own net to spark jubilant scenes from the Georgia supporters.
Pedri and Laporte both fired efforts over the crossbar before Mamardashvili denied Marc Cucurella, as Spain looked to respond, but the counter-attack remained on for Georgia, with Kvaratskhelia’s pace a real problem for La Roja.
