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 latest odds and prediction
Odds
Spain 1/7
Draw 9/2
Georgia 12/1
Prediction
Georgia will no doubt put in a lively, spirited display, but Spain should have far too much quality and nous for the tournament’s lowest-ranked side. Spain 3-0 Georgia.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Georgia XI: Mamardashvili; Lochoshvili, Dvali, Kashia, Gvelesiani, Kakabadze; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze.
The secret behind Georgia’s thrilling Euro 2024 ride – and why Spain must beware
As Khvicha Kvaratskhelia attempted to put words to what he’d helped create, with so much joyous feeling swirling around his brain, his thoughts ultimately went to the only place they could. “I’d love to see what’s happening in Tbilisi,” the Georgia playmaker said.
It’s a nice line, of a type that can be said about many smaller countries enjoying a first national moment. Those who attend the tournament actually miss it, because the real event is back home: the parties, the elation. Granted, the thousands of raucous Georgians who made the pilgrimage to Gelsenkirchen for this historic 2-0 win over Portugal won’t be feeling like that, especially after their victorious team insisted on a celebratory photo in front of them.
While Kvaratshkelia and his teammates will now be watching videos from back home, everyone else should want to watch them. That doesn’t just apply to their elated countrymen.
On Sunday, Georgia will meet Spain, probably the team of the tournament so far. The Spanish, however, will be facing the story of the tournament so far.
The secret behind Georgia’s thrilling Euro 2024 ride – and why Spain must beware
Willy Sagnol’s team have taken the tournament by storm with their distinct style and enthusiasm with a last-16 tie with Spain to come
Spain’s biggest Euro 2024 challenge is to overcome their own defining trait
Three wins from three and impressive across the board, Spain weren’t just the only nation to pick up the maximum nine points in the group stage at Euro 2024, they were also the only nation to get through those first three fixtures without conceding a single goal.
There’s little doubt that Luis de la Fuente’s team have been one of the most, perhaps the most, impressive early performers at the tournament and that they’ve quickly marked themselves out as the team to beat, but they will now also be looking at their route to the final and acknowledging it’s going to be an extremely tough one.
First, it’s Georgia. The finals debutants have enthralled and enraptured with their gutsy showings, aggressive defensive work and adventurous counter-attacks, have the breakout star of the tournament so far and produced a display of real quality to beat Portugal last time out and book their last-16 spot. Beat them and Spain will potentially face the hosts, Germany; then if that hurdle is navigated it could be the World Cup finalists in France.
As far as runs go it’s a monster one with extremely varied challenges to overcome, but Spain’s defensive resolve shown in the groups gives them as much cause for optimism as their overall performances should.
There remains perhaps a single question mark over La Roja though, and it’s both a big one and a highly relevant one to their very first task of beating Georgia: that possible lack of clinical edge, and whether it’s to again be a defining trait of their tourmament, as it has before.
Spain’s biggest Euro 2024 challenge is to overcome their own defining trait
La Roja look one of the best sides in Germany - but they’ve shown a fatal flaw previously which has cost them dearly
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Spain’s confirmed starting line-up:
Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri, Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Spain v Georgia: Predicted line-ups
Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Laporte, Le Normand, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Georgia XI: Mamardahvili; Kakabadze, Kverkvelia, Kashia, Dvali, Lochoshvili; Chakvetadze, Kiteishvili, Kochorashvili; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
The fans are arriving now, still two hours ahead of kick-off, and just beginning to generate at atmopshere of excitement.
These Georgia fans inside the concourse are hopeful of another big performance from their team...
...while Spain have a number gathering in one of the lower tiers, with still huge numbers outside the stadium taking photos, posing with a replica trophy (of sorts!) and singing in groups.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
Meanwhile in Gelsenkirchen, England trail Slovakia 1-0 and are in all sorts of bother.
Gareth Southgate has been urged to make three changes at the break by Gary Neville on ITV Sport.
We’ll have team news for Spain and Georgia with you in the next hour.
Spain v Georgia - Euro 2024
With yesterday’s dreadful weather in Dortmund in mind - that’s only a couple of hours from here in Cologne - the sky has just turned rather moody in the last hour or so.
It’s due to rain sometime during the match but perhaps we won’t quite have as spectacular a lightshow to deal with...
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments