Euro 2024 Spain defeats Georgia and faces Germany in the quarter-finals
There was no way past Spain’s left winger Nico Williams
© David Inderlied / DPA
For a moment it looked as if the best team in the tournament so far would despair of newcomers Georgia. But then Spain showed why they are and remain the favorites to win the European Championship.
Early shock, strong reaction: Spain has perfected the European Championship quarter-final clash against Germany and knocked surprise team Georgia out of the tournament. Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team beat the clear underdog 4-1 (1-1) in the round of 16 after trailing. Now the eagerly awaited showdown with national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team will take place on Friday in Stuttgart.
Rodri (39th minute), Fabián Ruiz (51st), Nico Williams (75th) and Dani Olmo (83rd) scored the goals for the Spaniards in front of 42,233 spectators in Cologne, who also won their fourth game at the European Championships. Georgia took the lead through an own goal by Robin Le Normand (18th) and fought passionately. In the end, however, the footballingly superior Spaniards deservedly prevailed.
Georgia scores first
In rainy Cologne, Spain immediately took the initiative and put pressure on from the first minute. The Furia Roja pushed the Georgians far back and created early chances. An initial shot from Pedri did not pose any problems for Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The 23-year-old had to show his full class for the first time when Le Normand headed the ball. It was clear early on that the FC Valencia goalkeeper would have a lot of work to do.
At first, however, Le Normand unwittingly became the main character. The central defender sent a cross from Otar Kakabadze into his own net in a duel with Khvisha Kvaratschelia – it was Spain’s first goal conceded at this European Championship. The approximately 20,000 Georgian fans went wild with joy. Their motto for the evening, “Believe”, proclaimed on a banner, became firmly established: Georgia believed in a football miracle.
Spain did have much more of the game after the unexpected setback. But even the two young super dribblers Lamine Yamal (16) and Nico Williams (21) found it difficult to get through Georgia’s well-organized five-man defense. And when they or one of their teammates did manage to get through, Mamardashvili did an excellent job.
Rodri redeems Spain with the equalizer
In the 39th minute, however, the goalkeeper was powerless. Rodri’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area, following a pass from Williams, was too well placed to equalize. The 1:1 gave the Spaniards a boost. The second half began with a moment of shock, however. Kwaratschelia almost caught goalkeeper Unai Simón off guard with a stroke of genius. However, his shot from his own half flew about half a meter past the goal.
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Then the Spaniards were rewarded for their superiority. Mamardashvili parried a Yamal free kick well, but had no chance of defending Ruiz’s header from close range. The title contender now moved the ball well and made it clear in the final phase. Williams and substitute Olmo from Leipzig extended the lead.
nik DPA
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