Julius OkorieSpain Ruthless Against Georgia
Three- time Champions Spain, set up an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final clash with hosts Germany , after coming from behind to thrash Georgia in the last 16 on Sunday.
Interestingly it was the Spaniards that scored the entire five goals of the match beginning with an own goal credited to Georgia in the 4-1 demolition.
Spain and Germany have been two of the most impressive sides at Euro 2024 and they will now meet in the last eight in Stuttgart at 5pm 5th July, 2024.
It briefly looked as though Georgia would follow up their stunning victory over Portugal by dumping Luis de la Fuente’s side out of the competition, with Robin Le Normand diverting a cross into his own net against the run of play.
But Spain had started the game impressively and refused to be knocked off their stride, peppering the overworked Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal with 17 shots in the first half and eventually drawing level through Rodri’s accurate strike.
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia almost put Georgia back in front with an inventive effort from his own half but, instead, Spain completed the comeback just minutes later when Fabian Ruiz nodded in Lamine Yamal’s brilliant cross.
Heorhiy Tsitaishvili spurned Georgia’s final chance and Spain then finished off their opponents, with Nico Williams firing a goal past Mamardashvili after a devastating counter attack before Dani Olmo stroked a fourth into the corner to cap another impressive La Roja display.
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Spain’s clinical finish means Euro 2024 must bid goodbye to Georgia, one of the stories of the tournament and providers of the biggest shock so far when they beat Portugal.
England had earlier overcome Slovakia to set up another quarterfinal clash with Switzerland who shocked many by sacking holders Italy from the competition.
The Three Lions who were finalists of the 2020 edition are eager to play in the final again with the hope that it will ‘come home’ this time.
Goals, from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in the closing minutes of the match, dwarfed 25th minute early goal by Ivan Schranz that almost threw the Three Lions off balance.
The knockouts continue today with France taking on Belgium in a repeat of 2018 World Cup semi-final clash in Russia.
Neither nation showed what they are truly capable of in the group phase, being condemned to unexpected second-placed finishes owing to disappointing final-day draws.
Frequent foes of France over the past century, Belgium suffered 2018 World Cup semi-final heartbreak in a 1-0 loss before also going down 3-2 to Deschamps’s men in a 2021 Nations League semi-final, but Portugal or Slovenia will await the Red Devils if they can avenge those Bleus blues. Mask wearing Kylian Mbappe will come face to face with Lukaku to add another bragging right angle to the contest.
Ronaldo Still Searching For Goals
In the second match Portugal battle Slovenia. After seeing a long success streak ended in the group stage, Portugal will aim to prove their credentials against Slovenia Monday evening.
The Slovenians arrive in Frankfurt for their first knockout match at a major tournament, and they will fight for the right to face France or Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo has not found the net in any of his last seven tournament appearances his longest such drought across the Euros and World Cup and has had 19 shots across both competitions since last scoring, versus Ghana at Qatar 2022. Will the Al-Nassr super star open goal account today?
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
