Spain secured their European Championship quarter-finals spot with a commanding 4-1 comeback victory over Georgia, meeting Germany next.
The match kicked off in Cologne with the Spanish side who have been so impressive and possess an excellent 100% record from the 3 matches played, looking to add yet another Euro to the one won in 2008 and 2012.
Georgia on the other hand, who have been the dark horses of the tournament and had previously beaten the almighty Portugal to seal a round of 16 qualification in what has been their first major tournament appearance, was looking to add yet another chapter to their fairy tale story by defeating another team in the FIFA top 10 despite being the least ranked side in the tournament.
The opening minutes of the match was all Spain as they piled up the pressure and continued to pepper the Georgian goal. Georgian goalkeeper Mamardashvili made save after save to keep his team in the game, then the nearly impossible and slightly improbable happened. Georgia took the lead courtesy of an own goal by Spanish defender Le Normand who mistakenly deflected a cross into his own goal.
Spain hit back in the 39th minute of the match after Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri found the bottom right hand corner of the net finishing off a pass from Nico Williams. Both teams went into the break all square after what was a very exhilarating first 45 minutes.
The second half began with Spain stepping up the pace and pushing for the go-ahead goal and it eventually came in the 51st minute when Fabian Ruiz of PSG headed home a cross from the electric Barcelona youngster Lammie Yamal to put the 2012 holders in pole position to go through to the quarter finals and face off with the host Germany.
Nico Williams pierced a dagger into the hearts of the Georgian faithful in the 75th minute after finding the top corner of Mamardashvili’s goal, finishing off a solo run from his own half.
Spain continued to exert their control on proceedings with Georgia eventually running out of steam and looking out of sorts in the dying moments of the match and Dani Olmo of Rb Leipzig eventually applied gloss to the impressive Spanish performance with a well placed side foot finish in the 83rd minute to make it 4:1.
In all, it was an interesting match up between a side full of talent and class and a side full of zeal and endeavor as Spain look forward to taking on the hosts Germany in the quarter finals in what promises to be a battle of the big hitters.
Melissa Enoch
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