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 2-1 Georgia, 66 minutes
And here are those Spain changes. Alejandro Grimaldo swaps in at left-back for Marc Cucurella, while Mikel Oyarzabal relieves Alvaro Morata.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 64 minutes
A double switch for Georgia. Giorgi Tsitaishvili and Zuriko Davitashvili step in for Giorgi Chakvetadze and Luka Lochoshvili.
Spain are preparing changes of their own but will wait until after a corner. It’s a zippy delivery but the ball ricochets away off Robin Le Normand.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 62 minutes
Giorgi Kochorashvili is a lucky boy. The midfielder plays a terrible pass across the edge of his own box right to Lamine Yamal, who pounces and will be disappointed not to have hit the target. Yamal goes for placement rather than power but starts it too far outside Giorgi Mamardashvili’s right-hand post.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 60 minutes
With the lead in hand, Spain are just playing more passively, keeping three back at all times to neuter the potential threat of Georgia on the counter. Georges Mikautadze charges into one of three attempting to spark something, Robin Le Normand stepping out and in on the Georgia striker before he can build up a head of steam.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 57 minutes
From so close to 1-2, to 2-1. Georgia keep having the odd moment and a 50-yard Kvaratskhelia goal might have seen the entire stadium explode in noise and incredulity, but instead Spain are in control, in the lead and in a very good position to do what they do best: move the ball around, make their opponents chase and eventually create chances to kill the game off. Georgia are just starting to look a little ragged and overly-feisty for the first time - they need a bit of a reset here.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 56 minutes
Unai Simon gets himself in a bit of bother with Georgia pressing high for once, though the goalkeeper’s footwork is good enough to extricate himself.
Spain 2-1 Georgia, 54 minutes
Spain make their first substitution. Luis de la Fuente removes Pedri and sends on Dani Olmo.
GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 Georgia (Fabian Ruiz, 52 minutes)
But Spain are in front soon enough!
Fabian Ruiz heads home but give the credit to the teenage superstar. Lamine Yamal regathers himself soon after the free kick, finding space on the right. He cuts in and picks his spot, tossing up a tantalising tempter for an arriving Ruiz at the far stick. Giorgi Mamardashvili very nearly finds a way of keeping Ruiz’s short-range header out, but through the goalkeeper’s body it squeezes to nudge Spain in front.
Spain 1-1 Georgia, 51 minutes
Saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili! Yamal hits the target, but Georgia’s goalkeeper is in the way.
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