For most of the first half, the football world hung upside down Spain trailed Georgia in the round of 16 at EURO 2024, until a dominant second-half display left little doubt they are one of a handful of teams that can win this tournament.
[ MORE: EURO 2024 schedule, bracket ]
Spain breezed through the group stage with nine points from three games and not a single goal conceded, but that sparkling defensive record went out the window early in the first half on Sunday and La Roja were stunned. It was Robin Le Normand who put the ball into his own net when Otar Kakabadze’s cross made its way into the six-yard box in the 18th minute. Georgia were yet to have a touch of the ball inside Spain’s penalty area, and they were on the board.
The lead didn’t quite last until halftime, though, as Rodri pulled Spain level with a strike from the edge of the box in the 39th minute. Fabian Ruiz made it 2-1 six minutes into the second half, as Lamine Yamal found him with a cross and became the first teenager to record two assists at a European Championship since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004. Nico Williams made it 3-1 on a counter-attack in the 75th minute and Dani Olmo ended the scoring with a deflected shot in the 83rd.
Up next for Spain is a clash of giants in the quarterfinals, where they will face host nation Germany in Stuttgart on Friday.
Spain vs Georgia player ratings
Spain vs Georgia highlights, final score: 4-1
Goalscorers: Robin Le Normand (18' - OG), Rodri (39'), Fabian Ruiz (51'), Nico Williams (75'), Dani Olmo (83')
GOAL: Spain 4-1 Georgia - Dani Olmo adds to the heartbreak with another late goal
DANI. OLMO. 🔥
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
Spain is running away with it vs Georgia 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/YaL4Vm0zwK
GOAL: Spain 3-1 Georgia - Nico Williams thumps home a bit of Spanish insurance
NICO WILLIAMS MAKES IT THREE FOR SPAIN 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/WGoOGtH8NB
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
GOAL: Spain 2-1 Georgia - Lamine Yamal finds Fabian Ruiz to take the lead
SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD 🇪🇸
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
Lamine Yamal sets up Fabián Ruiz with a beautiful assist 🔥 pic.twitter.com/V1wmDSr5bK
THAT CONNECTION ✨
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
Yamal put this on a platter for Ruiz 🍽️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/x1kWXvIFg4
GOAL: Spain 1-1 Georgia - Rodri fires La Roja back to level terms
SPAIN FINDS THE EQUALIZER 🔥
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
Rodri wasn't missing this one 🎯 pic.twitter.com/cAtXOoOsT4
OWN GOAL: Spain 0-1 Georgia - No shots, no problem as Robin Le Normand own goal gifts Georgia a lead (18')
Own goal back at it 😅
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 30, 2024
Brutal for Spain 🫠 pic.twitter.com/2V0HEIHWwR
Spain starting lineup
Simon — Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella — Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri - Yamal, Williams, Morata
Georgia starting lineup
Mamardashvili - Kakabadze, Gvelesiani, Kashia, Dvali, Lochoshvili - Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili - Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia
How to watch Spain vs Georgia, stream link and start time
Kick off: Sunday (June 30), 3pm ET
Stadium: Cologne Stadium, Cologne
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Spain team news, focus
Spain had the opportunity to rest their key players in their win against Albania, so they will likely go back to the same lineup which beat Croatia and Italy. However, Dani Olmo could find his way into the starting lineup.
Georgia team news, focus
Georgia showed how they can beat a big side against Portugal and they will follow a very similar plan. Sit deep, launch fast counters and look for Kvaratskhelia whenever they can. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili plays for Valencia in Spain and has been superb so far at this tournament and will have to be against Spain if Georgia are going to pull off a huge upset.
Spain vs Georgia prediction
This Spanish side have so many attacking players in top form and it’s hard to see them not winning against Georgia. Expect Spain to blow Georgia away in the first half, but the minnows will at least a grab a goal. Spain 3-1 Georgia.
