Spain showed superiority against tournament debutants Georgia as they came back from behind to secure a comfortable victory.
Luis de la Fuente’s side went behind against the run of play in the 18th minute through an own goal from Robin Le Normand, following a cross swung into the box by Kakabadze.
Otar Kakabadze intended to pick out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was lurking around the back post, but it was Spanish defender Le Normand who got on the end of it, bundling it into his own net.
Spain Had A Brick wall In Georgian goalie Giorgi Mamardashvili To Deal With In The First 45
Spain regrouped for the remainder of the game, accentuating their quality in the first 45, however, their efforts were often repealed by the Georgian defense and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
La Roja got their equalizer 6 minutes before the end of the first 45, with a thumping strike from 20 yards out after receiving a return pass from Nico Williams.
Two minutes after losing their lead, Willy Sagnol’s side made a forced change with Sandro Altunashvili coming on for Otar Kiteishvili.
Spain went into the break confident having restored parity, while it appeared Georgia were looking unsure about their chances in the second period.
Fabian Ruiz Completed The Comeback For Spain Against Georgia
Six minutes after the restart, Fabian Ruiz put Luis de la Fuente’s side ahead with a brilliant header following a nicely delivered cross towards the far post.
La Roja definitely made their pressure pay, and they subsequently made their first change of the game in the 52nd minute, with Dani Olmo coming on for Pedri.
Three minutes after the hour mark, Luka Lochoshvili was also withdrawn for Heorhiy Tsitaishvili, while Zuriko Davitashvili replaced Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Spain made dual alternations in the 66th minute, as Alejandro Grimaldo got a taste of action in place of Marc Cucurella, while Mikel Oryarzabal was brought on for Alvaro Morata.
Nico Williams scored his first goal of the tournament in the 75th minute to put the Spanish side into a cruising position, beating defender Gvelesiani before finishing the job coolly from inside the box.
Three minutes later, Giorgi Gvelesiani was taken off for Georgia, as Nika Kverkveskiri came on in his stead, while Budu Zivzivade was sent on in place of Georges Mikautadze.
In the 81st minute, the only member left of the 2012 Euro-winning team for Spain, Jesus Navas, was also introduced for veteran defender Dani Carvajal.
Mikel Merino was also handed some minutes of action by manager Luis de la Fuente, as he came on in place of Fabian Ruiz
Substitute Dani Olmo put the icing on the cake for Spain in the 83rd minute, with a left-footed curling attempt past the outstretched arm of Georgian goalie Giorgi Mamardashvili, following a lovely pass by Mikel Oryarzabal.
La Roja continue their stellar display in the tournament with an outstanding victory over Georgia despite going behind in the early stages of the affair.
Who Will Spain Play In The Quarter-finals?
Spain battle hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, in an encounter that is expected to be pulsating, breathtaking and nerve-wracking.
Both nations have arguably been the teams that have brought down the roof at the tournament and it will be interesting to see where the pendulum would swing.
Georgia bow out in the last 16, but they can pat themselves on the back following an impressive showing in their debut outing at the 2024 European Championship.
