Three-times champions Spain survived an early scare to beat a spirited Georgia 4-1 on Sunday and attain the final eight of Euro 2024, popping out on prime in an exhilarating encounter that introduced an finish to the minnows’ fairytale run.
La Roja will meet hosts Germany within the quarter-finals after sending a message of intent in a cultured efficiency, with objectives from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.
They had gone behind within the 18th minute when Robin Le Normand turned Otar Kakabadze’s bouncing cross into his personal internet.
Spain had an ideal file within the group stage with three wins and no objectives conceded, their finest begin since 2008 once they went on to win the match.
Coach Luis de la Fuente introduced his first selections again into the beginning lineup having made 10 modifications within the ultimate group sport, whereas Georgia stored religion with a aspect that included the match’s joint prime scorer and its main shot-stopper.
Playing of their maiden Euros, Georgia have been using a wave of euphoria and in search of an unlikely Iberian double after final week’s staggering 2-0 win over Portugal despatched them into the knockout rounds.
Spain have been dominant from the outset and virtually went forward 5 minutes in when Dani Carvajal’s cross from the correct discovered Pedri, who compelled an early save from Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Williams got here shut quickly after when his goal-bound shot was deflected vast of the goal.
But Georgia shocked Spain once they went forward as Georges Mikautadze discovered Kakabadze on the correct and he whipped in an early cross that struck Le Normand and bounced into the web.
Spain stored their cool and equalised after 39 minutes when Williams picked out Rodri, who fired a low shot into the nook.
They made it 2-1 six minutes after the break when the magnificent Lamine Yamal’s curling cross was headed house by Fabian Ruiz.
Williams killed off any hope of a Georgia comeback with a perfectly taken strike within the seventy fifth earlier than substitute Dani Olmo accomplished the rout with seven minutes left.
Source: www.thehindu.com