Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain got here from behind to beat shock packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and arrange a blockbuster quarter-final towards hosts Germany. Robin Le Normand’s personal purpose gave Georgia a shock lead within the 18th minute of this last-16 tie to ship their noisy supporters wild in Cologne. It was the primary purpose Spain had conceded on the competitors however they got here again to equalise six minutes earlier than the interval courtesy of Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri.

Ruiz then headed dwelling within the 51st minute and Williams ran by way of for the third earlier than substitute Olmo made certain of the win as La Roja keep on monitor to turn out to be European champions for the fourth time.

“There are issues we have to enhance and at some factors within the sport we weren’t forceful sufficient, however usually phrases we had been superior,” mentioned Rodri.

Spain now tackle Germany within the final eight in Stuttgart on Friday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 closing, which they gained 1-0 to start their golden period of dominance in worldwide soccer.

“Germany may be taking part in at dwelling however we’re not afraid. We’re right here to win, not simply to play properly or give off a superb picture,” Rodri added.

Luis de la Fuente’s group want to carry again the glory days they usually had been anticipated to brush Georgia apart right here.

They might have finally gained by a far higher margin had they transformed extra of their probabilities, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal squandering a number of alternatives in his try and turn out to be the youngest ever goal-scorer on the Euros.

Georgia are ranked 74th on the planet, 66 locations beneath Spain. Willy Sagnol’s group misplaced twice to Spain in qualifying, taking place 7-1 at dwelling and 3-1 away.

But they nonetheless certified for a primary main match after which made it to the knockout phases with a surprising 2-0 win over Portugal. They now go dwelling with their heads held excessive regardless of finally crumbling right here.

“I’m not saying we’re disenchanted however we’re a bit unhappy as a result of we misplaced,” Sagnol mentioned.

“I’m certain in some days we’ll realise precisely what we now have achieved and the happiness will come again in a short time.”

They’ve a vigorous attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze that could be a hazard for any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been among the best goalkeepers on the match.

Audacious

Mamardashvili had already saved from Pedri and saved out Dani Carvajal‘s glancing header earlier than Georgia went forward.

The transfer began with a wonderful piece of play by Kvaratskhelia on the left, as he picked out a go for Mikautadze, who then launched Otar Kakabadze on the correct wing.

Kakabadze’s cross into the field was a horrible one for Le Normand, who had Kvaratskhelia arriving behind him and couldn’t cease the ball rebounding off him and into the online for the eighth personal purpose of Euro 2024.

Spain had been now weak to the counterattack, which is Georgia’s energy, however the males in pink continued to dominate the sport and saved testing Mamardashvili.

The Valencia shot-stopper made a number of extra interventions in an more and more wild encounter earlier than the equaliser got here, Rodri controlling a Williams go on the fringe of the field and stroking the ball into the nook.

It felt as if that may be that for Georgia, however they remained audacious on the break, with Kvaratskhelia virtually scoring from inside his personal half initially of the second interval, his shot going simply vast with goalkeeper Unai Simon out of place.

Spain went forward shortly after, as Yamal crossed from the correct for Ruiz to move in his second purpose of the match.

Yamal did not simply miss possibilities of his personal, as he additionally compelled an personal purpose which was disallowed for offside earlier than Georgia fell aside defensively beneath more and more heavy rain.

Ruiz launched Williams, who ran from inside his personal half, skipped previous Giorgi Gvelesiani into the field and fired into the roof of the online to make it 3-1 on 75 minutes.

A pleasant management and end from the sting of the field by Olmo accomplished the scoring with seven minutes left.

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