Spain ended Georgia’s run at the European Football Championship and booked the quarter-final duel with hosts Germany. The three-time European champion defeated the foreigner 4:1 (1:1) in Cologne on Sunday. The number 74 in the FIFA world ranking was ahead with an own goal from Robin Le Normand (18th), Rodri (39th) before the break and Fabian Ruiz (51st) shortly afterwards the game turned around for the Iberians. Nico Williams (75th) and Dani Olmo (83rd) then made everything clear. Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team continues on Friday (6 pm) in Stuttgart. Germany had already qualified for the quarter finals against Denmark (2-0) on Saturday.
Spain with the best team
With the Spaniards, De la Fuente had already conserved his energy in the last group game and, not surprisingly, sent his team with the two young stars Lamine Yamal (16) and Nico Williams (21) on the field. Georgia coach Willy Sagnol started with Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili and former WAC professional Luka Lochoshvili on the left in the five-man chain.
Tournament begins with your favorite in the main
His team mainly had to run after the kick-off. Spain spread the ball within their own ranks and looked for gaps in the underdog’s defensive formation. The Georgians barely passed the halfway line. His hero Giorgi Mamardashvili at the back, celebrating after the victory over Portugal, had to intervene for the first time after ten minutes when Carvajal’s header was deflected.
His own goal turns the game on its head
In the middle of the Spanish attacks, the Georgians, who were strong on the counter-attack, released themselves and immediately wrote. Otar Kakabadze moved up the right and Le Normand, under pressure from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, directed his cross into his own goal with his hip. It was the eighth own goal in this European Championship. For “La Roja” it was the first goal conceded in the competition. But the Spaniards continued without any doubt about where they started. Mamardashvili, playing for Valencia, was still at the forefront of the battle, saving shots from Marc Cucurella and Williams before he too had to concede defeat. Spanish pacer Rodri shot centrally just in front of the edge of the penalty area and scored well.
Kiteishvili bewitched by bad luck and injuries
For Kiteishvili the evening ended immediately after, Wolfsberg’s Sandro Altunashvili took over for the injured midfielder. Spain were eager to add to the score before the half-time whistle, but after a ninth corner for the Iberians it was over for now.
Spain are setting the course for victory
It took 21 seconds for the favorites’ first shot on goal in the second half. The Georgians held back a clever Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli star almost surprised the Spanish goalkeeper, Unai Simon, who went far forward, with a shot from the halfway line (48th). Three minutes later, Spain were finally on course. Mamardashvili showed a flying move on the free kick, but the Spaniards stayed with him, Ruiz headed Yamal’s cross completely independently.
Dani Olmo finishes it off
Dani Olmo replaced the injured Pedri and the Spaniards, who were confident on the ball, hardly allowed anything to happen. The Georgians looked for their chance through quick counter-attacks before attacking Eastern Europe the decision. Williams had space and technique on the counter, easily left a Georgian defender standing and finished under the crossbar. Yamal did not want to be left behind and tried to shoot at the goal several times. Olmo was able to score Spain’s fourth goal in the rain in Cologne.