Georgia poses problems for Spain for a long time in the round of 16. In the end, the favorites came out on top. Germany’s recent bad experiences with the Iberians at major tournaments.

An early shock, a strong reaction: Spain completed the European Championship quarter-final thriller against Germany and knocked surprise team Georgia out of the tournament.

The team coached by Luis de la Fuente defeated the underdogs 4:1 (1:1) in the round of 16 on Sunday after falling behind. Now the eagerly anticipated showdown with the team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann will take place in Stuttgart on Friday.

Rodri (39 minutes), Fabián Ruiz (51), Nico Williams (75) and Dani Olmo (83) scored for the Spaniards, who also won their fourth game at the European Championships, in front of 42,233 spectators in Cologne. Georgia had taken the lead through an own goal by Robin Le Normand (18) and fought passionately. In the end, however, the superior Spaniards deserved their victory.

In decisive tournament matches, the Iberians have been something of a fearful opponent for Germany this millennium. In 2008, the DFB team lost 1-0 in the European Championship final, and two years later Germany lost by the same scoreline in the World Cup semi-final in South Africa. The 1:1 in the preliminary round at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was ultimately also not enough for the German team.

Spain presses, Georgia leads

In rainy Cologne, Spain immediately took the initiative and piled on the pressure from the very first minute. The Furia Roja pushed the Georgians far back and created chances early on. A first shot from Pedri did not pose any problems for Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The 23-year-old had to show his class for the first time with a header from Le Normand. It was clear early on that the Valencia FC goalkeeper would have his work cut out.

At first, however, Le Normand involuntarily made himself the main protagonist. The central defender headed a cross from Otar Kakabadze into his own net in a duel with Khvizha Kvarachelia – Spain’s first goal conceded at this European Championship. The 20,000 or so Georgian fans went wild with joy. Their motto for the evening, “Believe”, proclaimed on a banner, was confirmed: Georgia believed in the soccer miracle

Even after the unexpected setback, Spain still had much more of the game. However, even the two young super dribblers Lamine Yamal (16) and Nico Williams (21) found it hard to get through against the well-organized Georgian back five. And when they or one of their team-mates did succeed, Mamardashvili did an excellent job.

Rodri redeems Spain with the equalizer

However, the goalkeeper was powerless in the 39th minute. Rodri’s low shot from the edge of the box to equalize after an assist from Williams was too close. The 1:1 gave the Spaniards a boost. However, the second half began with a scare. Kwaratschelia almost took goalkeeper Unai Simón by surprise with a stroke of genius. However, his shot from inside his own half flew about half a meter past the goal.

The Spaniards were then rewarded for their superiority. A Yamal free-kick was well saved by Mamardashvili, but he had no chance to defend Ruiz’s header from close range. The title contenders now ran the ball well and made it clear in the closing stages. Williams and Leipzig substitute Olmo extended the lead