(Football news) The Georgians surprised everyone by defeating Portugal in the elimination stage, while La Roja easily won Group B with a perfect record. Now, the odd duo is competing to get to the quarterfinals.
Spain, who had won all three of their group matches at a European Championship for the first time since their brief period of world dominance started in 2008, could afford to make ten changes and still win all three points from their match against Albania on Monday.
Since first place was already assured, Luis de la Fuente used the occasion to switch up his brilliant team. In just 13 minutes, Ferran Torres put La Roja ahead and they would never look back.
Having previously taught reigning champions Italy a lesson in Gelsenkirchen and swept aside Croatia in Berlin, the Spanish squad now march on to the knockout rounds for a fifth successive major tournament – and the seventh time in eight.
One of the competition favourites, they have found themselves in what has been generally deemed the tougher half of the draw, with a potential quarter-final against hosts Germany – plus a possible semi-final clash with France – perhaps lying ahead.
Rejuvenated under De la Fuente, who has pivoted towards a more direct playing style, Spain are yet to concede a single goal, and the last time a Spanish side kept four successive clean sheets at a major finals was back in 2012 – when they last conquered Europe.
Before lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy again, though, La Roja must initially improve on their showing at Qatar 2022 – where they exited in the last 16 to Morocco – and they have once again been pitted against in-form outsiders.
So far, Spain have won six of seven matches against Georgia in all competitions, including in qualifying for this summer’s finals: they won both fixtures by an aggregate margin of eight goals – 7-1 away and 3-1 at home.
In fact, that crushing defeat in Tbilisi is the only time Georgia have ever conceded seven goals in an senior international, but their remarkable journey since that setback has brought them under the spotlight like never before.
After edging through the playoffs via a penalty shootout, Willy Sagnol’s spirited side are now into the knockout stages of what is Georgia’s first major tournament – mostly thanks to an improbable success on Wednesday evening.
Meeting already-qualified Portugal in their final Group F contest, the Crusaders capitalised on two defensive lapses by the Selecao, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a sensational opener – netting the fastest goal of the finals so far – and fellow forward Georges Mikautadze continued his push for the Golden Boot.
After setting up the first for ‘Kvaradona’, Metz striker Mikautadze coolly converted a second-half penalty to put his team on course for an infamous victory, and he has played a direct part in all four of Georgia’s goals at Euro 2024.
Backing up a committed all-round performance, Giorgi Mamardashvili’s excellence in goal proved crucial on the night, and was also prominent in an opening loss to Turkey and subsequent 1-1 draw with Czech Republic.
To this point, Georgia have faced the most shots (71), most on target (25) and conceded the highest xG of any nation taking part in Germany; but Sagnol’s men will not be too concerned, having already become heroes by toppling Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
Georgia’s sole win over Spain came in a long-forgotten 2016 friendly, but having just shocked La Roja’s Iberian neighbours to reach uncharted waters, they may believe a place in the quarter-finals is not entirely beyond them.
Also read: England will play Slovakia in their Round of 16 match at Euro 2024
