Spain fought back from a goal down to secure a 4-1 win over Georgia to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024.

In the eighteenth minute of this last-16 match, Georgia took a shocking lead thanks to a goal from Robin Le Normand, which enthralled their boisterous fans in Cologne.

Spain had given up their first goal of the competition, but they responded with a goal from Manchester City midfielder Rodri six minutes before the half.

Following a header from Ruiz in the 51st minute, Williams ran through for the third, and Olmo, a substitute, sealed the victory to keep La Roja on course to win the European championship four times.

“There are things we need to improve and at some points in the game we were not forceful enough, but in general terms we were superior,” said Rodri.

In a rematch of the Euro 2008 final, which they won 1-0 to start their golden age of dominance in international football, Spain will now play Germany in the round of eight in Stuttgart on Friday.

“Germany might be playing at home but we are not afraid. We are here to win, not just to play well or give off a good image,” Rodri added.

Here, Luis de la Fuente’s squad was predicted to easily defeat Georgia in an attempt to resurrect the old glory days.

If they had taken more of their chances, they would have ultimately won by a far larger margin. 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal missed multiple opportunities to try and become the youngest goal scorer in the Euros.

Georgia is 66 places lower on the global rankings at number 74. In the qualifying round, Willy Sagnol’s team suffered two losses against Spain: a 7-1 home loss and a 3-1 away loss.

Nevertheless, they managed to earn a spot in their first major competition and advanced to the next round after defeating Portugal 2-0. They finally crumble here, yet they leave with their heads held high.

“I am not saying we are disappointed but we are a bit sad because we lost,” Sagnol said.

“I am sure in some days we will realise exactly what we have done and the happiness will come back very quickly.”

Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the top goalkeepers at the tournament, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze have a dynamic attacking combo that poses a threat to any opponent.

Before Georgia took the lead, Mamardashvili had already made saves from Pedri and blocked a glancing header from Dani Carvajal.

Kvaratskhelia played a brilliant move on the left to set up Mikautadze, who released Otar Kakabadze on the right wing, to start the move.

Le Normand mishandled Kakabadze’s cross into the box; with Kvaratskhelia coming up behind him, he was unable to stop the ball from rebounding off him and into the net, setting up the eighth own goal of Euro 2024.

Georgia’s strength, the counterattack, had exposed Spain, but the men in red dominated the game and kept putting Mamardashvili to the test.

Before Rodri’s equaliser arrived, the Valencia custodian made multiple more saves in a tumultuous play that saw Williams pass the ball to him at the edge of the box and stroke it into the corner.

It seemed like that may be it for Georgia, but they didn’t give up easily. At the start of the second half, Kvaratskhelia came dangerously close to scoring from within his own half, but his attempt missed the mark because goalie Unai Simon was out of position.

Shortly after, Yamal crossed from the right for Ruiz to head home his second goal of the competition, giving Spain the lead.

Not only did Yamal miss his own opportunities, but he also forced an own goal that was called out for offside shortly before Georgia’s defence collapsed in the pouring downpour.

Ruiz was freed On the seventy-five minute mark, Williams, having come from inside his own half, made it 3-1 by skipping past Giorgi Gvelesiani into the box and firing into the roof of the net.

With seven minutes remaining, Olmo scored with a lovely control and finish from the edge of the area.

Photo by EPA/ANNA SZILAGYI