Even before a ball was kicked in Köln on Sunday, Georgia had already created numerous memories at EURO2024 for their fans – and they added another to the list with just 18 minutes on the clock when an own goal by Robin Le Normand put them ahead against la Roja.
However, just before half-time, Luis de la Fuente’s men levelled the game after a magnificent strike from Rodri beat Giorgi Mamardashvili at his far post to dampen Georgia’s party-like atmosphere.
Spain then took the lead in the 51st minute through a headed effort from Fabián Ruiz to beat Mamardashvili at point-blank range, before Nico Williams and substitute Dani Olmo added Spain’s final two goals to confirm a 4-1 win.
La Roja have now set up a tie against Germany on Friday, with that clash in Stuttgart expected to be a fantastic game between the two best teams at the tournament.
As it happened
Spain started the better of the two teams, creating early chances as they pinned back Georgia’s defence. However, out of nowhere, la Roja fell behind to the Jvarosnebi when Otar Kakabadze was released down the right-hand side, and his cross was turned in by Robin Le Normand for an own goal with less than twenty minutes played.
Europe has been introduced to Georgia’s potency on the counterattack over the last fortnight, and it was on display once again for the opener – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was on scene and would have bundled home regardless, had it not been for Le Normand’s involvement.
La Roja searched for the equaliser and came agonisingly close to levelling the game when Marc Cucurella unleashed a 20-yard effort from outside the box, but Giorgi Mamardashvili denied the Chelsea defender.
But Georgia couldn’t hold on for long, and Luis de la Fuente’s men were level just before half-time when Nico Williams found Rodri on the edge of the box. It was the perfect area for the Spaniard, with the Manchester City star beating Mamardashvili at the near post to restore parity in Köln.
Georgia looked capable of taking the lead again at the start of the second half, and in spectacular fashion too. Kvaratskhelia regained possession on the halfway line, and after a glimpse at goal revealed Unai Simón had ventured off his line, he unleashed a long strike towards goal but missed the target by the narrowest of margins.
Just six minutes into the second half, La Roja seized the lead for the first time in the game. Lamine Yamal, a bright spark on the right flank for Spain throughout the tournament, delivered a teasing cross that was found by Fabián Ruiz, whose headed effort beat Mamardashvili from close range.
Spain continued to dominate the game and, after a goal drought lasting a little over 20 minutes, got their third of the match when Williams was released down the left-hand side. The winger drove towards the Georgian penalty box and thumped a powerful shot into the roof of the net, extending la Roja’s lead in style.
Substitute Dani Olmo rounded off a dominant showing by Luis de la Fuente’s men inside the final ten minutes by adding their fourth and final goal of the night. The RB Leipzig winger was found on the edge of the box by Mikel Oyarzabal, dispatching a wonderful curling effort to beat the goalkeeper.
Seeing off the tournament sweethearts is one thing, but Spain’s attention now turns to Friday’s mammoth quarterfinal clash that will see them pitted against the tournament hosts. La Roja will feel confident of progressing to the final four – though the scoreline may not be quite as convincing in Stuttgart.
The lineups
ESP: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri; Williams, Morata, Yamal
GEO: Mamardashvili; Lochoshvili, Dvali, Kashia, Gvelesiani, Kakabadze; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze