Follow live reaction to Spain’s 4-1 victory over Georgia at Euro 2024, to send them through to the quarter-final stage
Max Mathews
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Luke Brown·Managing Editor, News
Result — Spain 4-1 Georgia
- 18’: Le Normand puts through own net to give Georgia shock lead
- 39’: Rodri levels score with fizzing long shot from edge of box
- 51’: Fabian heads Spain ahead after superb Yamal cross
- 76’: Williams smashes home third to put Spain in control
- 83’: Olmo adds fourth with low shot into bottom corner
- England beat Slovakia 2-1 in earlier Round of 16 clash
Euro 2024 day 17 – England escape, Spain impress and Mbappe’s mask?
Potential upsets were the theme at Euro 2024 on Sunday.
England trailed Slovakia 1-0 with seconds remaining, only to turn it around with a Jude Bellingham goal in injury time and a Harry Kane winner a minute into extra time. Gareth Southgate’s team will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Spain briefly fell behind to an exciting Georgia side in Cologne before coming back to win 4-1, with wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams starring once again. They will face hosts Germany on Friday.
Here, The Athletic's writers explain the key moments from day 17. Check out their thoughts below.
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Booked in the calendar
Coming up next for La Roja...
Tale of the shot counts
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Spain's 4-1 win is the biggest ever margin of victory by a team who conceded first at the European Championship.
Their impressive total of 35 shots is a record for the country.
Georgia, meanwhile, become only the second side in Euros history to score in a match in which they didn't have any shots on target. The other? Scotland, against Germany in the opening match of this tournament, when they scored via Antonio Rudiger's own goal.
Spain do it within the 90
For the first time since the final of Euro 2012, Spain have won a knockout match in normal time at a major tournament.
Each of their five previous games in the knockout stages of the Euros or World Cup had gone to extra time, where they won two and were knocked out three times.
Yamal a wonderful creator
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Our friends at Opta have brought up this phenomenal stat.
A list of the most chances created by players aged 21 or younger in European Championship knockout matches (since 1980):
- 6 - Lamine Yamal v Georgia (2024)
- 6 - Cesc Fàbregas v Russia (2008)
- 5 - Pedri v Switzerland (2021)
Amigos.
Follow our Mexico vs Ecuador Copa America live blog here!
The live football doesn't stop!
The Athletic is also running a live blog for the Mexico vs Ecuador match at Copa America, in their final match of Group B, in a crucial clash to see who will progress to the knockout stages.
Follow it here. It's being run by the superb Michael Dominski.
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Williams' brilliant match
Nico Williams is the only player at the European Championships since 1980 to score a goal, record an assist, and complete 100% of his passes in a game that he started.
Nico Williams: Spain are 'very excited'
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Spanish goalscorer Nico Williams, speaking to Spanish TV after the match, said: "Very happy to make the quarter-finals, very excited, we have to keep going step by step like this.
"We have shown we are a good team, if we keep this level up, we will do big things.
"(Georgia's goal) was a mistake, an own-goal, but Robin recovered really well. And it all went as we wanted. We have to keep working like this, and onto the next game.
"Germany will be a very difficult game, but we have a marvellous team, well structured, and if we play at this level, we can win."
Spain 4 Georgia 1 – The Briefing
Spain were worried at moments against Georgia but, in the end, their leading stars proved decisive in a brilliant performance.
The Georgians looked dangerous at times, as they have throughout the tournament, and will head home having given an excellent account of themselves in Germany. Spain now face the hosts Germany in the quarter-finals.
- Yamal: World class at 16
- Rodri man for big moment
- Counter-attacks key to quarter-final
- 'Kvaradona' exits Euros he lit up
Below, The Athletic's Dermot Corrigan, Matt Slater and Liam Tharme break down the action.
A look at the numbers
The Athletic
Check out our stats from the match with our graphic here.
A deserved ovation
Matt Slater/The Athletic
What a squad of heroes.
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What a birthday present this would be...
Your regular reminder that Lamine Yamal turns 17 on July 13, the day before the Euro 2024 final.
Rodri named player-of-the-match
Manchester City star Rodri, who scored the equaliser not long before half-time, has been named man-of-the-match by UEFA.
Georgia deservedly taking acclaim
Hugs and handshakes all-round for the Georgia squad, and they are getting a huge ovation from their supporters.
They're doing a viking clap now!
Lamine Yamal's touch map
The Athletic
The anatomy of a masterclass.
Check out where Lamine Yamal touched the ball here.
How does the tournament bracket look?
The Athletic
Good question.
Check our the tournament bracket here, courtesy of The Athletic's Will Jeanes.
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Rodri's equaliser was massive
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Spain ran away with it in the end, deservedly so.
But they were shaky for a while in the first half, with recent tournament history weighing them down.
Rodri's goal, to go in level at the break, was huge boost mentally.
Very enjoyable game
Well done, everyone!
I thoroughly enjoyed that. Germany versus Spain is going to be epic.
FULL TIME: Spain 4-1 Georgia
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That's it!
Spain are into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they will play hosts Germany.
A mouthwatering last-eight clash.
Georgia were excellent and did their nation proud - but now bow out.
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