DANI OLMO, Nico Williams, Fabian Ruiz and Rodri struck as Spain completed a turnaround after a shock early own goal.
Spain had been piling on the pressure, but a quick Georgian counter saw Robin Le Normand turn into his own net for the match’s opener.
La Roja, one of the pre-tournament favourites, had it all to do – but Man City star Rodri fired in a smart strike from the edge of the box to start the turn around and were then able to take control of the game.
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That’s all from Cologne
From where Georgia will go home as heroes, and Spain will head to Stuttgart to take on the hosts.
The 2008 and 2012 champions were rampant in the face of the Georgia’s energy, and retaliated from a shock goal down to strike four times.
It means it’s four wins from four for La Roja at these Euros, and you get the feeling that Luis de la Fuente’s young stars are only just getting started.
We have two more Round of 16 ties for you tomorrow starting with France’s clash against Belgium before Portugal take on Slovenia.
See you then. Goodnight.
No quarter given when giants clash
After sweeping aside Georgia in the rain, Spain will now move on to Stuttgart to face hosts Germany in Euro 2024’s first quarter-final on Friday.
The meeting will be the first between the nations since they met in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup while it will be the first at the Euros since the 2008 final when Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game.
The other known quarter-final will see England take on Switzerland on Saturday after the Three Lions late escape act against Slovakia earlier today.
- Spain v Germany (Friday, 5pm)
- England v Switzerland (Saturday, 5pm)
Williams in great Nic
Spain superstar Nico Williams became the first player on record at the European Championship to score a goal, assist a goal, and complete 100% of his passes (46/46) in a single game.
Match stats from Cologne Stadium
Spain amassed 17 shots in the first half against Georgia in Cologne, the most on record by a team in the first half of a knockout stage game at the European Championship since records began in 1980.
Indeed, their 35 shots overall were their most in a match at either the World Cup (since 1966) or a Euros (since 1980).
Full time – Spain 4-1 Georgia
It’s all over in Cologne – and, to be honest, that has been the case for a while.
The Georgia players drop to their knees, but they should hold their heads high for what they have brought to this tournament.
Spain, however, proved a test too far for Willy Sagnol’s brave Crusaders, and so it’s the stylish La Roja that strut their way into the quarter-finals.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
90+2. Navas nearly conjures a fifth for Spain with a belting low cross across the Georgia penalty area.
With just seconds remaining, there’s now a concern for the Spanish with Nico Williams down, having awkwardly extended his leg in an effort to meet that last cross.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
90. The board goes up to signal three minutes of stoppage time just as – and you’ll never believe this – Spain go on the attack.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
88. If you think Spain have settled on four, then you don’t know this La Roja team.
Yamal has passed up more opportunities to become the youngest Euros scorer while Williams and Olmo also continue to pepper Mamardashvili’s goal.
The Spain shot count is now into the thirties.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
86. In the torrential rain, Georgia are struggling to stay afloat.
Spain are swimming out of the Last 16 and towards a quarter-final with Germany.
Spain 4-1 Georgia
84. Substitute Dani Olmo gets in on the act!
The RB Leipzig ace goes dancing in the rain after collecting Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass outside the box.
He sends two defenders the wrong way with a shuffle of the body after a delightful first touch, and then plants a left-footer into the bottom corner beyond the rooted Giorgi Mamardashvili.
A wonderful goal.
Dani boy!
Spain 3-1 Georgia
79. The rain is lashing down in Cologne.
Only lightning and Michael Oliver can save Georgia now.
Spain 3-1 Georgia
77. Williams works wonders on the left again!
This time he cues up Olmo, who plants his shot straight at Mamardashvili.
It should have been four.
Spain 3-1 Georgia
75. There’s no doubt about this one though!
And this time it’s Spain’s turn to counter to devastating effect.
Fabian Ruiz scoops up possession outside of his own penalty area, and sends a wonderful 50-yard pass into the path of Nico Williams.
With Otar Kakabadze upfield, Williams has room to exploit, and does so at speed by bursting into the box beyond Giorgi Gvelesiani.
Giving Giorgi Mamardashvili the eyes, the Bilbao forward slams into the roof of the net to seal Spain’s spot in the quarter-finals.
Nice one, Nico!
Spain 2-1 Georgia
73. Spain have a third! But it’s not going to count!
Giorgi Gvelesiani is the most relieved man in Cologne as it was he who turned Lamine Yamal’s cross into his own net.
However, the Spanish teenager had gone too quickly in receiving Dani Olmo’s return pass, and is rightly flagged offside.
Spain 2-1 Georgia – Davitashvili yellow card
70. Now the other sub gets stuck into the action.
Or stuck into Dani Olmo, I should say,
The Bordeaux man is booked for thundering into the Spain substitute on halfway.
Spain 2-1 Georgia
68. A half-chance presents itself for Giorgi Tsitaishvili on the left.
The substitute could either go across Unai Simon or look for a teammate in the middle, but instead slices wildly wide of the near post.
Perhaps the 23-year-old could have done with a few minutes to get up to speed before taking on that opportunity.
Spain 2-1 Georgia – Spain double substitution
66. Luis de la Fuente responds in kind.
The Spain head coach calls for Alex Grimaldo and Mikel Oyarzabal for the final quarter of this game with Marc Cucurella and Alvaro Morata making way.
As Morata departs, he hands the captain’s armband on to Rodri.
Spain 2-1 Georgia – Georgia double substitution
64. Giorgi Tsitaishvili and Zuriko Davitashvili are on to beef up the Georgia midfield.
Willy Sagnol sends the pair on in place of Luka Lochoshvili and Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Spain 2-1 Georgia
62. Oh no! Kochorashvili gives an opportunity to Yamal with a slack pass across his own goal.
Oh no! The teenager looks certain to make it three, only to slam his shot into the advertising hoardings.
Spain 2-1 Georgia
60. This Round of 16 tie hits the hour mark in Cologne.
As it stands, Spain are heading for a quarter-final with hosts Germany.
But you just never know with this never-say-die spirit from the Georgians…
Spain 2-1 Georgia
58. Despite falling behind, the Georgian gameplan remains the same: dig in and wait for those moments to counter.
The only issue now is that Spain no longer feel the need to commit men forward.
Spain 2-1 Georgia
56. Fabian Ruiz had threatened a goal since the first minute, and now has his third in his last four games for Spain in all competitions.
The midfielder had only netted once in his first 22 caps.
Spain 2-1 Georgia – Spain substitution
53. Not content with another assist, Yamal wants a goal of his own as he pulls a fierce shot wide from the edge of the area.
Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente has made a change following that goal, bringing on Dani Olmo for Pedri.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
