New Delhi: Former champions Spain and underdogs Georgia will meet in the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 contest in Cologne on Sunday. Following the conclusion of the group stage, Spain remained the only team to win all their games with a 100% record while Georgia stole the knockout spot with a stunning defeat of Portugal.
Spain edged past Albania 1-0 in their previous match and will look to take it up a notch against Georgia. Spain have previously taught reigning champions Italy a lesson and swept aside Croatia, now marching on to the knockout rounds of the fifth successive major tournament. They are in the tougher half of the draw, facing a quarter-final against the hosts and a possible semi-final clash with France.
The Crusaders capitalised on two defensive lapses by Portugal as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a sensational opener and fellow forward Georges Mikautadze continued his push for the Golden boot with another strike. Giorgi Mamardashvili’s excellence in goal post proved crucial against Portugal and was also prominent in an opening loss to Turkey and subsequent 1-1 draw with Czech Republic.
Spain have an impressive young squad at their disposal and will need to be clinical to win their knockout games. They are a better team on paper and hold the upper hand going into this match but still need to be more cautious as Georgia are capable of an upset and can pack a punch on their day.
Team news
Luis de la Fuente’s unbeaten Spain will have a lot of changes to the starting XI they put against Albania after their top spot in Group B was confirmed. The side is fully fit without any suspension giving La Roja a full squad to choose from. City midfielder Rodri is back from one match ban and joins a number of men returning to the side.
Jesus Navas will also be available despite suffering a minor foot injury. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are expected to return to the squad to support captain Alvaro Morata up front. Both the stars have created at least five chances and completed five dribbles so far. They are the first to do that in the group stage since Andres Iniesta and David Silva in 2016. Carvajal, Le Normand and Vivian will miss the quarter-final match if booked.
Willy Sagnol’s Georgia are expected to keep their winning combination intact with a five man back line. The team will miss the presence of midfielder Anzor Mekvabishvili due to suspension. The Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Euro 2024 leading scorer Georges Mikautadze will lead in the front. The two time Georgian Player of the Year Solomon Kvirkvelia is also expected to return to the backline. Gvelesiani, Kashia, Kochorashvili and Kverkvelia will miss the next match if booked.
Head-to-Head
Spain have locked horns seven times with Georgia. They have won six as opposed to Georgia’s paltry one victory including the qualifiers they won both the fixtures by an aggregate margin of eight goals 7-1 away and 3-1 at home.
Georgia’s only victory came in a friendly encounter in 2016 by 1-0 scoreline. Spain have been eliminated from the round of 16 in three of their last four appearances in major international tournaments.
Spain reached the quarterfinals at the Euros in 2021 but were eliminated by Switzerland. While Georgia have managed to reach the knockout stages of a major international tournament for the first time in their history.
Till now Spain have kept clean sheets in all their three matches at Euro 2024 and last kept four four consecutive clean sheets in a major international tournament in 2012 when they won the Euros.
Predicted lineup
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Tsitaishvili, Dvali, Kashia, Kverkvelia, Kakabadze; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
When, where and how to watch the Spain vs Georgia match in India?
The Spain vs Georgia UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 12:30 am IST tonight.
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