Spain v Georgia LIVE: Euro 2024 result as Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal inspire La Roja into quarter-finals
Spain 4-1 Georgia: La Roja turned on the style after falling behind to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final tie with hosts Germany
Stylish Spain recovered from the shock of conceding an early own goal to eventually overrun a tireless and spirited Georgia 4-1 and surge into a mouthwatering Euro 2024 quarter-final with Germany.
After withstanding a near-constant early assault, with outstanding keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili making several good saves, Georgia stunned the crowd by taking the lead with their first attack after 18 minutes when Otar Kakabadze’s fizzing cross was diverted into his own net by the chest of Spain’s Robin Le Normand.
The Spaniards levelled the last-16 contest through Rodri from the edge of the box in the 39th minute and, after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia almost scored a stunning second from near the halfway line for the tournament outsiders, Fabian Ruiz headed Spain ahead six minutes into the second half.
Spain continued to press and probe but the Georgians ran themselves ragged to keep them at bay until Nico Williams finally broke clear to slam in the third, with Dani Olmo neatly tucking home the fourth goal seven minutes from time to secure their fourth win of the tournament.
Follow all the latest updates from Cologne plus the result and reaction from Gelsenkirchen as England play Slovakia:
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
England’s win has just been announced to widespread jeers in the crowd. 15 minutes to kick off; a quick reminder of the lineups:
Spain XI: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Nico Williams
Georgia XI: Mamardashvili; Lochoshvili, Dvali, Kashia, Gvelesiani, Kakabadze; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Georges Mikautadze has been one of the stars of this Georgia side, scoring three so far at the tournament to sit as top scorer.
If you don’t know too much about him, here’s a piece from before the tournament started on what makes him a threat and why he was going to be his nation’s big hope:
Georgia’s best chance to cause a Euro 2024 upset isn’t Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Napoli star is one of Europe’s best wingers, but Georges Mikautadze is a goalscorer in fantastic form
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
As for Georgia, there has been far less chance for them to rotate, given they had to beat Portugal to sneak through the group in third place.
We’ll see if that makes an impact during the game, with Spain’s fresher legs and the all-action approach of Georgia on and off the ball, which requires so much energy.
They will certainly be given plenty of energy by their fans though, who are now cheering the announced lineups with incredible gusto. There are pockets of their fans all across the stadium - Kvaratskhelia gets an enormous airing of his name, predictably!
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
All change again for Spain as head coach De la Fuente reverts to his strongest team, following a win over Albania in the last group game with a much-changed outfit.
The front two of Williams and Yamal are therefore nicely rested and ready to go non-stop at this Georgian back five, you imagine.
David Bisbal, a famous Spanish singer, has just been shown on the big screens in the stadium with a message for the team. A mixed response from the fans, let’s say.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Huge cheers from all sides now with the players out on the pitch and warming up. The Spanish fans give “a por ellos” an early airing - the Georgian fans respond with the loudest chant of the early evening so far.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
We’re a little over half an hour from kick-off in the fourth last-16 tie at Euro 2024 - after tonight, we’ll know half the sides who will be in the quarter-finals.
And awaiting tonight’s victor are no others than the hosts: Germany beat Denmark last night and they will face Spain or Georgia in Stuttgart next week.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Georgia fans are largely gathered behind the goal away to our left inside the stadium, a large stretch of flags draped across one section and a message to the fans beneath it: “Believe”.
It’s only half-full in here still and yet it is a huge noise they are making already!
Spain are more numerous at this stage, down on the right side of the pitch in the lower of the two tiers at Cologne.
Euro 2024: England force extra-time after stunning Bellingham goal
You can follow extra-time in England vs Slovakia here, Jude Bellingham’s bicycle kick in the 95th minute saves Gareth Southgate.
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