European Football Championship - Spain's "wonderful team" challenges DFB squad
In rainy Cologne, the Spaniards celebrated more routinely than exuberantly and seemed to already be thinking about the Quarterfinal clash against Germany. To cheers from their homeland that echoed from the stadium boxes, they thanked their fans clapping after the 4:1 (1:1) victory against Georgia. This Friday in Stuttgart, the much-anticipated power struggle with Julian Nagelsmann's team is set to take place.
"This will certainly be a challenging game. But we need to focus on ourselves; we have a wonderful team," said young star Nico Williams, who scored the third goal in the 75th minute. Rodri (39.), Fabián Ruiz (51.), and Dani Olmo (83.) also scored for the Spaniards, who won their fourth game at the European Championship.
Georgia took the lead through an own goal by Robin Le Normand (18'). They fought passionately. In the end, the more football-skilled Spaniards emerged victorious. "Everything went well for us; we're very happy to have made it to the Quarterfinals. We need to keep going. We made a mistake, an own goal, but we recovered well," said Williams.
The Iberians have been a formidable opponent in decisive tournament matches in this century. In 2008, the German team lost in the European Championship final 0:1. Two years later, Germany lost in the World Cup semifinals in South Africa with the same score. The 1:1 in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was ultimately not enough for the German team.
Spain presses, Georgia leads
From the first minute, Spain took the initiative in rainy Cologne and put pressure on Georgia. The Spanish team forced the Georgians deep into their own half and created early chances. A shot from Pedri gave Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardaschwili his first real challenge. In a header from Le Normand, the FC Valencia goalkeeper had to show his full class for the first time. It was clear: The goalkeeper would have a busy night.
First, however, Le Normand made himself the unexpected star. A cross from Otar Kakabadze carried the central defender into his own net - the first goal conceded by Spain at the European Championship. The Georgian fans went wild with joy. Their banner's message of the evening, "Believe," was reinforced: Georgia believed in the football miracle.
Despite having more of the ball, Spain's two young dribblers, Lamine Yamal (16) and Nico Williams (21), found it difficult to break through Georgia's well-organized backline. And when they or one of their teammates managed to create a chance, Mamardaschwili did an excellent job of thwarting them.
Rodri rescues Spain with the equalizer
In the 39th minute, the goalkeeper was powerless. Rodri's shot from Williams' assist from the penalty area for the equalizer was perfectly placed. The equalizer gave the Spaniards momentum. The second half began with a scare, though. Kwaratschelia came close to surprising Simon with a brilliant move from his own half. His shot, however, missed the target by about half a meter.
The Spaniards were rewarded for their superiority. Mamardashvili parried a Yamal-free kick well, but he had no defensive options against Ruiz's close-range header. The title contender then let the ball run and made it clear in the closing phase. Williams and the substituted Leipzig player Olmo built on the lead.
- Spain, in the DFB squad, took control from the start in rainy Cologne, putting pressure on Georgia, aiming for a Quarterfinal clash against their opponents.
- Nico Williams, a young star from Stuttgart, scored the third goal for Spain in the 75th minute, expressing confidence in their abilities against Julian Nagelsmann's German team.
- Despite Georgia's passionate defense, Spain's football skills eventually prevailed, resulting in a 4:1 victory in the European Championship game text.
- In 2008, Spain proved to be a formidable opponent in the European Championship final, defeating Germany 1:0.
- Two years later, at the World Cup in South Africa, Germany suffered another defeat against Spain, losing 0:1 in the semifinals.
- Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo, key players in the Spanish team, contributed to their victory against Georgia, demonstrating their strength in decisive tournament matches.
- During the game, the Spanish team struggled to break through Georgia's well-organized backline, with rain adding to the challenge.
- In the Round of sixteen of the European Football Championship, Spain and Germany will meet for what is expected to be an intense power struggle.
- The Georgian fans, cheering for their team in Stuttgart, believed in the football miracle, as evidenced by their banner's message, "Believe."
