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Preview: Spain vs. Georgia

Preview: Spain vs. Georgia

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After making history to reach their first major tournament as an independent nation, few people were expecting Georgia to make it to the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 but after stunning Portugal in their final match to win 2-0, Willy ’s side managed to do just that.

By Nathan Evans

Sagnol insisted before the tournament that his team weren’t there simply to make up the numbers and, in their performances so far, it’s clear to see that he wasn’t wrong in making that statement. 

Georgia have arguably been the most entertaining side to watch in this edition of the UEFA European Championship, their three games thus far witnessing eight goals in total and with their gifted, exciting attacking line in particular, they’ve already received the plaudits of fans and pundits around the continent. 

Headlined by Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – who scored in their final group stage match – their counter-attacking system has helped them to catch their opposition off-guard and has seen them remain a threat in matches right up until the final whistle, as witnessed in their dramatic 3-1 defeat to Türkiye. 

That approach has aided striker Georges Mikautadze to net three goals to date, the most of any player in the competition heading into the knockout rounds. In him, Georgia have a real focal point, a player who is as comfortable with finishing his chances as he is at holding up the ball in order to help his side advance up the field. 

But at the Round of 16 stage, he’s set for his hardest assignment yet as he and his team face Spain, the only side who are still yet to concede at Euro 2024 and the only side to have ever scored seven goals past them in an international fixture. 

Much like hosts Germany, the Spaniards entered this tournament in the conversation as ‘the best of the rest’ with many feeling that their overall squad lacked the experience needed to win the title this time around. In spite of that, their performances in the group stage have done plenty to see them rise in many people’s expectations and it’s fair to say that they are now one of the favourites to take home the title.

Luis de la Fuente’s side eased through this edition’s ‘group of death’, beating Croatia, Italy, and Albania along the way while scoring five goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets. That also gave him the ability to rest key players in their final group match which could be key in this encounter, including 16-year-old Lamine Yamal who has continued his meteoric rise with a couple of stand-out appearances to date. 

He’ll be thrust into the spotlight again in this intriguing encounter that sees Spain enter as heavy favourites, but they’ll need to be extremely wary of this Georgia team who pack a punch, and have already won the hearts of many football fans at Euro 2024. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Spain vs. Georgia

After making history to reach their first major tournament as an independent nation, few people were expecting Georgia to make it to the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 but after stunning Portugal in their final match to win 2-0, Willy ’s side managed to do just that.

By Nathan Evans

Sagnol insisted before the tournament that his team weren’t there simply to make up the numbers and, in their performances so far, it’s clear to see that he wasn’t wrong in making that statement. 

Georgia have arguably been the most entertaining side to watch in this edition of the UEFA European Championship, their three games thus far witnessing eight goals in total and with their gifted, exciting attacking line in particular, they’ve already received the plaudits of fans and pundits around the continent. 

Headlined by Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – who scored in their final group stage match – their counter-attacking system has helped them to catch their opposition off-guard and has seen them remain a threat in matches right up until the final whistle, as witnessed in their dramatic 3-1 defeat to Türkiye. 

That approach has aided striker Georges Mikautadze to net three goals to date, the most of any player in the competition heading into the knockout rounds. In him, Georgia have a real focal point, a player who is as comfortable with finishing his chances as he is at holding up the ball in order to help his side advance up the field. 

But at the Round of 16 stage, he’s set for his hardest assignment yet as he and his team face Spain, the only side who are still yet to concede at Euro 2024 and the only side to have ever scored seven goals past them in an international fixture. 

Much like hosts Germany, the Spaniards entered this tournament in the conversation as ‘the best of the rest’ with many feeling that their overall squad lacked the experience needed to win the title this time around. In spite of that, their performances in the group stage have done plenty to see them rise in many people’s expectations and it’s fair to say that they are now one of the favourites to take home the title.

Luis de la Fuente’s side eased through this edition’s ‘group of death’, beating Croatia, Italy, and Albania along the way while scoring five goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets. That also gave him the ability to rest key players in their final group match which could be key in this encounter, including 16-year-old Lamine Yamal who has continued his meteoric rise with a couple of stand-out appearances to date. 

He’ll be thrust into the spotlight again in this intriguing encounter that sees Spain enter as heavy favourites, but they’ll need to be extremely wary of this Georgia team who pack a punch, and have already won the hearts of many football fans at Euro 2024. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.