Spain were the only team to go through the group stage of Euro 2024 winning all of three matches and Luis de la Fuente’s side are fancied by many to claim the trophy in next month’s final in Berlin.
However, while La Roja are heavy favorites to secure a quarterfinal place on Sunday, plucky Georgia stand in their way and should be relied upon to make life as difficult for the three-time winners as possible.
No team has been able to lay a glove on Spain at Euro 2024 so far, which has left many thinking more glory could be on the cards for La Roja, and they are just -500 to get through a last 16 fixture against Georgia on Sunday.
The optimism seems well placed as there have rarely been threats to the Spanish defense and coach De La Fuente was even able to utilize his roster and allow some of his players outside the regular starting lineup to take to the field for Monday’s 1-0 win over Albania.
With his usual starters rested and raring to go, they should be able to come through this game having booked a place in the last eight, but there is still a strong chance that Georgia can play their part in an entertaining game.
Georgia made it through to the finals via their Nations League record as it won just two of eight qualification matches, and expectations were low for Willy Sagnol’s team before the tournament started.
However, the Crusaders were unfortunate not to claim a point in their opening game against Turkey, tied with the Czech Republic and then enjoyed the greatest night in the nation’s soccer history when beating Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday.
The attack, led by Georges Mikautadze, who went into the knockout stages as the tournament’s top goalscorer, and Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has plenty of pace and it would not be a surprise if they catch Spain cold and find the net, even if they are defeated inside 90 minutes.
Spain striker Alvaro Morata is often chastised for the number of chances it takes him to find the net, but there looks a strong chance he can get onto the scoresheet in this game.
Morata netted in Spain’s opening 3-0 Group B victory over Croatia and has had eight efforts on goal, four of which have been on target, in his three outings so far.
Spain is a master at carving out opportunities by sliding the ball through the lines and the sharp Morata can take advantage of that as well as any potential chances that could arise if Georgia throw men forward as they chase the win.
There is the possibility that Georgia could suffer a heavy defeat against Spain, but one thing that seems certain is that it will be as positive as possible.
Georgia's pacey forwards can provide all sorts of problems for any opponents on the break, as Portugal found as they went chasing the game in their Group F clash on Wednesday, and it is in wide areas that Sagnol’s team may look to penetrate the Spanish defense.
Admittedly, there is a strong chance that the underdogs will not see much of the ball as Spain tends to dominate possession, but they could still break forward with speed and purpose, and there looks a good chance that they will be able to force more than a couple of corners as they go all out to earn a quarterfinal place in their maiden international tournament.
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Spain | -500 |
Tie | +550 |
Georgia | +1400 |
Alvaro Morata (Spain) | -105 |
Ferran Torres (Spain) | +125 |
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) | +125 |
Mato Joselu (Spain) | +125 |
Lamine Yamal (Spain) | +150 |
Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) | +500 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.