Spain come from behind to beat Georgia and reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals! Football News Rhodri Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo scored as Spain surprisingly beat Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against hosts Germany. Robin Le Normand’s own goal gave Georgia a shock lead in the 18th minute of this last-16 tie, sparking uproar from their vociferous supporters in Cologne. It was the first goal Spain had conceded in the competition, but they hit back and equalized six minutes before the interval thanks to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Spain come from behind to beat Georgia and reach Euro 2024
Ruiz then scored in the 51st minute and Williams added a third before substitute Olmo sealed the win as La Roja moved on to become European champions for a fourth time.
“There are some things we need to improve and at some points of the game we weren’t emphatic enough, but in general we were better,” Rodri said.
Spain will now face Germany in the last eight in Stuttgart on Friday, a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, which they won 1-0 to begin their golden era of dominance in international football.
“Germany may be playing on their home ground but we are not scared of that. We have come here to win, not just to play well or create a good image,” Rodri said.
Luis de la Fuente’s side are looking to bring back their glory days and are expected to beat Georgia here.
Had they capitalized on more opportunities with the 16-year-old winger, they could have ultimately won by a bigger margin. Lamin Yamal He missed several opportunities in his bid to become the youngest-ever Euro goalscorer.
Georgia is ranked 74th in the world, 66 places below Spain. Willy Sagnol’s side lost twice to Spain in qualifying, losing 7-1 at home and 3-1 away. Joel Embiid leads the Philadelphia 76ers against the San Antonio Spurs with a career-high 70 points.
Yet they first qualified for the major tournament and then reached the knockout stage with a sensational 2-0 win over Portugal. They are now heading home with their heads held high despite eventually losing here.
“I’m not saying we’re disappointed, but we’re a bit sad because we lost,” Sagnol said.
“I am sure in a few days we will realize what we have done and happiness will return very soon.”
They have a lively attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikoutadze, which is a threat to any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament.
Daring
Mamardashvili had already saved Pedri and excluded Dani Carvajal scored with a header before Georgia went ahead.
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The move started with a brilliant play from Kvaratskhelia on the left as he caught a pass for Mikautadze, who then sent Otar Kakabadze on the right wing.
Kakabadze’s cross into the box was poor for Le Normand, who got in behind Kvaratskhelia and could not prevent the ball from hitting him and going into the net, scoring his eighth own goal at Euro 2024.
Spain was now vulnerable to counter-attacks, which is Georgia’s strength, but the red-uniformed players continued to dominate play and test Mamardashvili.
The Valencia shot-stopper made several more interventions in a fiery contest before the equalizer arrived, Rodri controlling Williams’ pass on the edge of the box and volleying the ball into the corner.
It looked like it might be Georgia but they remained courageous on the break, with Kvaratskelia almost scoring from inside his own half early in the second period, his shot just wide of the goalkeeper. Unai Simon out of position.
Spain went ahead soon after when Yamal crossed from the right and Ruiz scored his second goal of the tournament.
Yamal not only missed their chances but also scored an own goal which was ruled out for offside after which Georgia’s defence was left in shambles under persistent heavy rain.
Ruiz released Williams, who ran from inside his own half, and went forward Giorgi Gvelesiani He put the ball into the net in the box and made the score 3-1 in the 75th minute.
Olmo completed the scoring with seven minutes remaining with superb control and finish from the edge of the box.