Match Report | SPAIN vs GEORGIA Perfect Comeback

SPAIN vs GEORGIA Perfect Comeback! Spain’s Euro 2024 journey teetered on the edge of disaster before they roared back to life, stunning Georgia with a 4-1 comeback victory in Cologne to secure a quarter-final spot. Rodri’s equalizer, cancelling out Robin Le Normand’s early own goal, set the stage for a second-half Spanish onslaught that left Georgia’s fairytale run in ruins. Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo ensured Spain’s progress, setting up a marquee clash with hosts Germany in Stuttgart on Friday.

The match began with an unexpected twist as Spain, dominant in possession, found themselves trailing after just 18 minutes. Otar Kakabadze’s dangerous cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Le Normand, sending shockwaves through the Spanish camp. Georgia’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had been the most tested shot-stopper in the group stages, was called into early action to deny Pedri and Dani Carvajal. Despite the setback, Spain pressed on, with Mamardashvili making crucial saves to maintain Georgia’s slim lead.

Spain’s relentless pressure eventually paid off when Rodri, left unmarked, found the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box for his first major tournament goal. The equalizer breathed new life into La Roja, who nearly conceded again as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s audacious attempt from the halfway line narrowly missed. However, it was Fabian Ruiz who flipped the script, heading home from point-blank range shortly after the break following a sublime cross from Lamine Yamal.

The floodgates opened as Williams, charging down the left flank, unleashed a right-footed rocket into the roof of the net, leaving Mamardashvili no chance. Olmo then put the final nail in Georgia’s coffin, slotting home from Mikel Oyarzabal’s throughball to seal a dominant Spanish victory. Yamal, the youngest star in Spain’s lineup, continued to impress, becoming the first teenager since Cristiano Ronaldo in Euro 2004 to assist multiple goals in a single tournament edition. Meanwhile, Pedri made history with his fourth start in the knockout stages, the most by any player aged 21 or under.

Georgia, despite their early promise and a heroic performance from Mamardashvili, saw their dream run come to a bittersweet end. After a sensational group stage victory over Euro 2016 champions Portugal, they entered the knockout rounds with high hopes. Their early lead against Spain hinted at another potential upset, but ultimately, Spain’s quality and depth proved too much. William Sagnol’s team exits the tournament with heads held high, having made a memorable debut on the European stage.