Spain see off brave Georgia with 4-1 win and set up Germany quarter-final at Euro 2024

COLOGNE – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on June 30 said his team could have beaten Georgia 9-1 as they eased through to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they will face hosts Germany.

La Roja fell behind in the 18th minute when a fizzing cross from Otar Kakabadze bounced off Robin le Normand and past a helpless Unai Simon. It was the eighth own goal at this tournament.

However, Spain bounced back strongly to claim a 4-1 victory at Cologne Stadium and created several big chances against the tournament’s surprise packages.

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo struck for Spain, while 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal missed two clear openings which could have seen him become the youngest Euro scorer.

“We’re very happy because we know what it takes to be here, that’s been shown by what the other teams have gone through,” de la Fuente told Spanish television.

“(The result) was deceptive because it could have been 8-1 or 9-1. We had to suffer, counter-attacking is their weapon.

“They didn’t manage to get a shot on target and we put ours away, so we’re very happy.”

Joint record three-time Euro champions Spain now face the tournament’s other form team, Germany, in the quarter-finals on July 5.

De la Fuente told reporters he expects a close game against the hosts in Stuttgart.

“Germany is a great team, with great individuals of a high level, some of the best in the world,” said the 63-year-old.

“They are well organised and disciplined but they will have in front of them a very similar team, with a lot of commitment, well organised, hard to overcome, very hungry, very ambitious.

“It will be a very balanced and even game, and, at this level, it will be the details that determine it for one team or the other.

“We have to keep working like we have been, and keeping focusing on our strengths and keep improving – we are not perfect.”

He sang the praises of his players after they stayed calm despite falling behind and produced 35 shots, while restricting Georgia to four.

“I don’t want to offend anyone, but we have the best team and the best players. Does that mean we will win (the competition)? No, but we will fight for it,” added de la Fuente, who led Spain to Nations League glory in 2023 after an 11-year trophy drought.

“It doesn’t guarantee anything, we know that, but we have footballing strength with talent, quality, commitment, and players who are buying in, and that’s something very important.”

Yamal threatened throughout but, despite another bright display from the Barcelona winger, de la Fuente said he could still improve significantly.

“He had a great game but he could have done much better, taken his time in some moments – we have to invite him to have more calm,” said the coach.

“But he is 16 and in a period of learning, and this game will stand him in good stead for that.

“He is lucky he’s living through this so young and is surrounded by great players who are helping him a lot.”

Also pleased, despite their loss, is Georgia coach Willy Sagnol, who said he was “very proud” of his team.

“It was a bit too much for us. Spain deserved the win, there is no discussion about it,” the Frenchman said.

“Sometimes you have to take your time to look back at what you’ve done. We can sit down in peace and quiet, and be very happy with the last year because the evolution of the team has been absolutely fantastic.

“I’m very proud of what the players have done in the last months and now it is the end of the journey, but I’m sure the next one will also be very exciting.”
AFP, REUTERS