Three-time champions Spain overcame an early own-goal scare to defeat a resilient Georgia 4-1, sealing their spot within the Euro 2024 quarterfinals and ending the underdogs’ magical journey.
La Roja displayed dominance in an exciting match, highlighted by beautiful objectives from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo, setting the stage for a showdown in opposition to hosts Germany on Friday.
Spain had fallen behind within the 18th minute in opposition to the run of play when Georges Mikautadze discovered Otar Kakabadze, who whipped in an early cross that struck Robin Le Normand and bounced into his personal web, sending Georgian followers right into a frenzy.
Playing of their maiden Euros, Georgia have been using a wave of euphoria and in search of an unlikely Iberian double after final week’s beautiful 2-0 win over Portugal propelled them into the knockout rounds.
Georgia have been spurred on by 1000’s of touring supporters sporting white and draped in nationwide flags. The followers clapped, roared, and chanted in unison to the beat of pounding drums.
Spain got here into the sport after three group-stage wins with out conceding a purpose. Coach Luis de la Fuente introduced again his first-choice gamers.
Georgia caught with a lineup that included match joint-top scorer Georges Mikautadze and main goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Spain remained cool and assured, barely troubled by the willpower of the Georgians, with children Williams and Lamine Yamal fast, ingenious, and relentless down the flanks.
“Against Germany, we have to be at our best,” mentioned participant of the match Rodri. “We knew it was going to be powerful. They brought about us bother. We had probabilities.
“It was unfortunate about the goal, but we showed character and pride to come back. We knew they would be a solid team.”
Biggest menace
Spain took management from the beginning and nearly went forward after 5 minutes when Dani Carvajal’s cross from the proper discovered Pedri, who compelled an early save from Mamardashvili.
Williams posed the most important menace in a pulsating recreation and got here shut quickly after when his goal-bound effort from outdoors the realm was deflected vast.
Mamardashvili was referred to as into motion a number of instances, making early saves from Dani Carvajal’s glancing header and a shot from the sting of the realm by Fabian Ruiz.
Spain have been untroubled after falling behind and located their equalizer within the thirty ninth minute when Williams picked out Rodri, who fired low into the nook.
But Georgia by no means gave up, with Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bursting out of their very own half in pursuit of a purpose that would have made historical past.
Kvaratskhelia nearly discovered the web when he noticed goalkeeper Unai Simon out of place and tried a daring long-range effort from inside his personal half that flew simply vast of the submit.
However, Spain took the lead six minutes into the second half when the spectacular Yamal curled a cross that Fabian Ruiz headed dwelling to make it 2-1.
Williams extinguished any hope of a Georgia comeback when he fired into the roof of the web within the seventy fifth minute earlier than substitute Dani Olmo accomplished the rout with seven minutes left.
Georgia’s French coach, Willy Sagnol, mentioned his group now had time to replicate on the outstanding feat they’d achieved.
“The squad has been absolutely fantastic. I’m very proud of that,” he mentioned. “I’m very proud of what the players have done in the last months. Now it’s the end of a journey, but I’m sure the next one will also be very exciting.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com