Spain sets up huge clash against Germany after thrashing Georgia

Spain moved to the next round of the Euros championship with an emphatic and statement-making 4-1 victory over ambitious Georgia on Sunday evening at Cologne stadium.

The reward for their outstanding victory was a huge quarterfinal fixture against host Germany, who, on Saturday, defeated Denmark 2-0 to move to the next round of the competition.

On Friday, July 5, the duo of Germany and Spain will play at the Stuttgart Arena in a quarterfinal fixture in what is a repeat of the 2008 Euros Final, which Spain won. 

However, the round of 16 fixture didn’t start as planned for La Roja, as Robin Le Normand’s 18-minute own goal gave Georgia a false hope. Spain heavily pressurized Georgia at the start of the game and was second best for the larger part of the first 20 minutes before a swift counter-attacking play saw Normand poke home into his net a well-taken cross by Georgia’s Otar Kakabadze.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri equalized with six minutes before the end of the first 45 as the 2008 and 2012 Euro champions then resumed the second half like a house on fire as Fabian Ruiz put them into the lead. 16-year-old Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who was very brilliant on the night, and his cross just a few minutes into the second half was headed in by Fabian Ruiz.

Although Spain had four different scorers on the night, it was Nico Williams’s well-taken strike in the 75th minute that stood out. However, there was enough time for Dani Olmo to seal the victory for the Spaniards.

Georgia has now been eliminated from their debut championship, where they will feel they have given a good account of themselves, having defeated Portugal to secure a round of 16 place against a visibly stronger Spain side.