After navigating contrasting paths through the group stage, Spain and the Euro 2024 underdogs Georgia are set to clash in the last-16 match in Cologne on Sunday evening.
Spain breezed through as Group B winners with a flawless record, while Georgia secured a surprising knockout berth by stunning Portugal. The two teams now compete for a spot in the quarter-finals.
For the first time since 2008, Spain won all three of their group matches at a European Championship, allowing them to make 10 changes in their final game against Albania and still secure victory.
With the top spot already guaranteed, coach Luis de la Fuente rotated his squad, and Ferran Torres scored early, ensuring a lead they maintained throughout the match.
Spain, having previously defeated reigning champions Italy and Croatia, advance to the knockout rounds for the fifth consecutive major tournament and the seventh time in eight appearances. As one of the favorites, Spain faces a challenging draw, potentially meeting hosts Germany in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals.
Under De la Fuente's rejuvenation, Spain has adopted a more direct playing style and remains the only team yet to concede a goal. The last time Spain kept four consecutive clean sheets at a major finals was in 2012 when they won the European Championship.
Before they can lift the trophy again, Spain must first improve on their Qatar 2022 performance, where they were eliminated in the last 16 by Morocco. Now, they face another in-form outsider in Georgia.
Spain has historically dominated Georgia, winning six of seven matches, including an 8-2 aggregate in the qualifiers for this tournament. Georgia's heavy defeat in Tbilisi was a rare low, but their remarkable journey since has put them in the spotlight.
After advancing through the playoffs via penalties, Willy Sagnol's determined team reached the knockout stages of their first major tournament, highlighted by an improbable victory over Portugal.
In their final Group F match, Georgia capitalized on Portugal's defensive errors. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the fastest goal of the tournament, and Georges Mikautadze added a penalty, having been involved in all four of Georgia's goals at Euro 2024.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili's performances have been crucial, particularly in the loss to Turkey and the draw with the Czech Republic. Georgia has faced the most shots and highest xG of any team in Germany but has already become heroes by defeating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
Georgia's only win over Spain came in a 2016 friendly, but after their recent triumphs, they may believe a quarter-final spot is within reach.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
After giving several squad players a chance against Albania, Luis de la Fuente's Spain lineup should be more recognizable this weekend. Manchester City midfielder Rodri is back from a one-match ban and will rejoin the team along with other key players.Centre-back Nacho, who recently announced his departure from Real Madrid, and Real Betis forward Ayoze Perez will need to pass fitness tests after missing the last game, but there are no new injury concerns.
Germany-based playmaker Dani Olmo, who impressed in his first Euro 2024 start by assisting Ferran Torres's goal, is not expected to start on Sunday. Instead, young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are likely to return to support captain Alvaro Morata up front.
Georgia will be without Anzor Mekvabishvili due to suspension, so their midfield may remain unchanged from midweek. However, two-time 'Georgian Player of the Year' Solomon Kvirkvelia could be added to the defense.
French coach Willy Sagnol is expected to use a 5-3-2 formation, led by Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Euro 2024's top scorer Georges Mikautadze.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has been with Spanish club Valencia since 2021, has made 16 saves out of the last 17 shots faced at this summer's tournament.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Spain possible starting lineupSimon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Georgia possible starting lineup
Mamardashvili; Tsitaishvili, Dvali, Kashia, Kverkvelia, Kakabadze; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
SPAIN 2-1 Georgia
After their historic night in Gelsenkirchen, Georgia may face a tough reality against a strong Spain team with aspirations for Euro 2024 glory.
While one of Georgia's talented forwards might score, Spain seems determined to reach the final and has the ability to break through even the toughest defenses.
