Victory for the favorite

EURO: Spain vs. Georgia from 9pm LIVE

Relief for the Spaniards

(Bild: AFP/APA/Alberto PIZZOLI)

Spain's national soccer team lived up to its role as favorites against Georgia and is through to the European Championship quarter-finals after a 4:1 victory. However, the Iberians had had to fear for their progression to the next round after the underdogs took the lead in the 18th minute.

Spain ended Georgia's run at the European Championships and booked a quarter-final clash with hosts Germany. The three-time European champions defeated the underdogs 4:1 (1:1) in Cologne on Sunday. The FIFA world number 74 took the lead through an own goal by Robin Le Normand (18th), Rodri (39th) before the break and Fabian Ruiz (51st) shortly afterwards turned the game around for the Iberians. Nico Williams (75') and Dani Olmo (83') then made everything clear.

Hosts await
Coach Luis de la Fuente's team continue their campaign on Friday (6pm) in Stuttgart. Germany had already qualified for the quarter-finals against Denmark (2:0) on Saturday.

De la Fuente had already spared the Spaniards' strength in the last group game and unsurprisingly sent his one-man squad onto the pitch with the two young stars Lamine Yamal (16) and Nico Williams (21). Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol started with Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili and former WAC professional Luka Lochoshvili on the left of the back five.

From the kick-off, his team had to run first and foremost. Spain circulated the ball in their own ranks and looked for gaps in the underdogs' defensive network. The Georgians barely got over the halfway line. Their hero in goal, Giorgi Mamardashvili, celebrated after the victory over Portugal, had to intervene for the first time after ten minutes with a Carvajal header.

With his hip into his own box
In the midst of the Spanish attacks, the Georgians, who were strong on the counter-attack, broke free once and immediately went on the attack. Otar Kakabadze broke down the right and Le Normand, who was under pressure from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, turned the ball into his own goal with his hip. It was the eighth own goal of this European Championship.

Georgia took the lead against the Iberians

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

It was the first goal "La Roja" had conceded in the tournament. However, the Spaniards continued unperturbed where they had started. Mamardashvili, who played for Valencia, was still the tower of battle, making saves from shots by Marc Cucurella and Williams before he too had to concede defeat. Spain's pace-setter Rodri took the ball centrally just outside the penalty area and scored.

Rodri caused jubilation among the Spaniards.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Kiteishvili's evening was over immediately afterwards, with Wolfsberg's Sandro Altunashvili taking over for the injured midfielder. Spain were keen to add to their tally before the break, but after the Iberians' ninth corner kick, the game was over for the time being.

Dream cross from Yamal
It took 21 seconds in the second half for the favorites to take their first shot on goal. The Georgians countered with Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli star's shot from the halfway line almost took Spain's far-post goalkeeper Unai Simon by surprise (48'). Three minutes later, Spain were finally on course. Mamardashvili's free-kick took flight, but the Spaniards were still in contention, Ruiz heading in a Yamal cross from a completely free position.

Spain's Rodri (l.) in a duel with Georgia's Giorgi Chakvetadze

(Bild: AFP/APA/Angelos Tzortzinis)

Dani Olmo replaced the stricken Pedri and the ball-savvy Spaniards hardly allowed anything more. The Georgians looked for their chances via quick counter-attacks before an attack by the Eastern Europeans of all people brought about the decision. Williams had space and technique on the counter-attack, easily left a Georgian defender standing and finished under the crossbar. Yamal did not want to be left behind and took several shots on goal. However, Olmo scored the fourth Spanish goal in the rain in Cologne.