Spain takes on shock bundle Georgia within the spherical of 16 at Euro 2024 on Sunday (3 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app). Spain is extensively thought-about one of many match favorites after successful all three of its group video games, however Georgia produced the shock results of Euro 2024 to date by beating Portugal, 2-0, on Wednesday.
Right here’s what to know in regards to the match:
Match info
— Spain was the one crew to complete the group stage with an ideal report of three wins, and its 1-0 victory over defending champion Italy underlined its credentials to win the European title for the primary time since 2012.
— Spain had no bother beating Georgia twice in qualifying final 12 months. A 7-1 rout noticed Lamine Yamal set a report for youngest ever goalscorer in a Euros qualifier, simply two months after his sixteenth birthday.
— Georgia’s speedy enchancment beneath coach Willy Sagnol was on present within the win over Portugal that secured qualification. Its low block and fast counterattacks have been just like these of Albania, which brought about Spain loads of issues in Monday’s 1-0 win.
— The winner performs both Germany or Denmark within the quarterfinals in Stuttgart on July 5.
[Related: Euro 2024 futures bets, Round of 16 picks by Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica]
Workforce information
— Health may very well be essential. Spain hasn’t performed since Monday and was in a position to change 10 gamers from its lineup in opposition to Albania. Georgia, in contrast, was pushed to the restrict in opposition to Portugal on Wednesday and is enjoying once more 4 days later.
— Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has his full squad out there as midfielder Rodri returns from a one-game suspension. Three defenders, together with proper again Dani Carvajal, would miss a possible quarterfinal in the event that they’re booked in opposition to Georgia.
— Georgia is filled with confidence as a result of “now we have completely nothing to lose,” Sagnol mentioned Saturday, including: “For me, we already received (Euro) 2024.”
— Georgia midfielder Anzor Mekvabishvili is suspended after a yellow card in opposition to Portugal. Captain and defender Guram Kashia is one among 4 gamers who’re one yellow card away from a suspension.
By the numbers
— Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze was the shock prime scorer of any crew within the Euro 2024 group stage with three targets, together with a penalty in opposition to Portugal. None of Spain’s gamers have scored greater than as soon as.
What they’re saying
— “I believe the issue of the soccer world is the final 15 years have been like ping-pong between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and to see younger gamers additionally coming (onto) this stage, it’s completely nice for the game.” — Georgia coach Willy Sagnol praises 16-year-old Spain ahead Yamal and 21-year-old Nico Williams.
— “As we speak we might see that it’s potential to play with each crew, and it’s potential to win. It doesn’t matter who your opponent is as a result of there isn’t a simple crew on the European Championship.” — Georgia ahead Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, when requested about Spain after beating Portugal.
— “Just a few months in the past we weren’t candidates (to win the title) and now we’re favorites. However that doesn’t imply something. We have now all the time mentioned that we have been going to come back right here to win the European Championship, and that’s our mentality.” — Spain left again Alejandro Grimaldo.
Reporting by The Related Press.
UEFA Euro
Spain
Get extra from UEFA Euro Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
