In the last 16 round, Spain came out victorious, beating Georgia 4-1. The win now sets up a match between Spain and Germany with the winning team advancing to the semi-finals. The victory was not easy, though Spain’s performance was commendable with goals sourced from Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo. Their combination of skill, speed, and control suggests they are strong contenders, despite facing a challenging run in Germany.
That’s not to diminish Georgia’s efforts – they deserved to advance, and they did. But Willy Sagnol’s team now must return home, where they will be hailed as champions by their 3.7 million applauding compatriots. Arguably an underdog, Georgia is ranked 74th in the world and 35th in Europe. Their departure from the tournament will be felt sincerely, as their spirited performance has brought much excitement to the pitch. At one point, their dream seemed a tangible reality when they scored the first goal against Spain. Although they ultimately fell, they did so while still striving to get back into the game—a game they never conceded.
High in the stands, a message spelled out in large red letters implored the team to BELIEVE. And believe they did. Giorgi Kochorashvili likened the team’s journey to “a beautiful, unbelievable film”. And it was truly a cinematic moment when they broke Spain’s defence to score the tournament’s opening goal just 18 minutes in, after tirelessly resisting the relentless onslaught from the Spanish side.
Within a minute, Nico Williams manoeuvred past Otar Kakabadze, engaging the ball for the first time. Just over a hundred seconds later, the first attempt on goal was taken by Fabián Ruiz. Less than a quarter of an hour in, Giorgi Mamardashvili accomplished the first block. By the moment Georgia left their territory, Spain had dominated the ball 88% of the time, leaving Georgia’s possession at 12%. Moreover, the Spaniards had taken nine shots on goal to Georgia’s none. However, Georgia’s counterattacks were lethal. The play initiated with swift movements up the left wing by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, swiftly coming back inside.
Kvaratskhelia delivered a pass to Otar Kiteishvili as he continued his run. Kiteishvili’s fleet-footed dash across the pitch set the scene, focusing the game on the other side where Kakabadze had space to advance. After reaching the boundary of the box, he curled in a cross for Kvaratskhelia, who was darting in from the left. Despite Robin Le Normand’s early interception attempt, the ball deflected off him and found the net. The unthinkable occurred- Georgia found the back of the net. The euphoria was immense among the substitutes bursting onto the field and the tearful fans in the stands.
Spain, who had been dictating the game till then, felt a jolt. Their dominance had been textbook-perfect, save for their failure to quash the attack before the goal materialised. The setback caused a slight lapse in their control over the game. Georgia, filled with belief, started to show relentless zeal. It wasn’t about the possession or pushing back the mighty Spaniards, but the enthusiasm to sprint, seize opportunities when they appeared, and deploy their forces were noteworthy.
Le Normand had to fend off a shot before Mikautadze took a tumble in the area. Another incursion, initiated by Kiteishvili, had the aforementioned duo racing up the pitch, their strides accompanied by increasing cheers. Spain seemed in a rush, but their efforts bore fruit just before the mid-game break. Rodri spotted Williams, passed the ball to him, who then returned it to the Manchester City midfielder enabling him to smoothly direct a shot into the corner. As the ball landed in the net, a Georgian player was down, causing concern as it was the impressive Kiteishvili.
The joyous celebrations exuded relief and it was easy to infer that the Spanish had taken control of the game. Another goal seemed likely, marking a return to normalcy. However, the risk persisted, with both teams displaying their own brand of rapid assaults. Once during the second half, Kvaratskhelia attempted a surprise shot against Unai Simon from the halfway line, but the ball veered off slightly. Almost instantaneously, Lamine Yamal embarked on a run, veering inward from the right flank. He got fouled just outside the area and elected to take the resulting free-kick himself.
Georgia’s Mamardashvili put up an impressive show, making an incredible sixth save, but he wasn’t invincible. The ball once again found its way to Lamine Yamal, who made a wonderful assist for Ruiz to head Spain into the leading position. Only eleven seconds elapsed from the save to the goal. Lamine Yamal narrowly missed another shot and had another opportunity soon after, but the ball went beyond the opposite post. Spain didn’t settle for just two goals, maintaining a steady, calculated approach in their quest to add to their tally. Weary from their exertions, Georgia’s forward strides became scant and desperate. Kvaratskhelia found Giorgi Tsitaishvili in an advantageous position, but his shot swerved wide.
Georgia persisted until the end, even faced with the reality of risk, exemplified when Kvaratskhelia’s run was cut short just outside Spain’s area. Almost immediately, Williams used his speedy footwork to get inside the Georgia area, expertly lobbing the ball over Mamardashvili into the net for their third goal. The task seemed complete now, with Olmo putting the final touches on the play with a fourth goal, thereby cementing Spain’s place in the quarter-finals.
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