Spain had to battle to take on Georgia in Cologne, eventually breaking down their opponent’s resolve to seal a 4-1 victory as the two teams met in the last 16 of Euro 2024. Dani Carvajal played 81 minutes as the only Real Madrid involvement. Elsewhere Nacho, whose contract with the club came to an end on Sunday, and Joselu were unused substitutes.
The underdogs took an unexpected lead against the run of play when Robin Le Normand, who is expected to join Atlético Madrid this summer, miscontrolled a cross into the box and sent it beyond his goalkeeper Unai Simón. It was the first goal that Spain had conceded in the tournament and the eighth own goal scored.
Manchester City’s Rodri then fired in an equaliser from the edge of the box before half-time, with Fabián Ruiz heading in a second goal early after the break to put La Roja in control. Eventually the 77% possession made a difference, and Spain started to enjoy themselves in the rain as Nico Williams made it three on the counter and Dani Olmo added another precise finish to score a fourth.
Dani Carvajal vs Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Carvajal had the tricky task of keeping a close eye on Napoli winger and Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The team’s undisputed leader plays more centrally for his country than he does in Serie A, but was still drifting wide to the left and taking on Carvajal and the respect between the two was evident.
Photo by Edith Geuppert – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Kvaratskhelia beat Carvajal with two dribbles, but he largely found it hard to overcome the veteran. Carvajal worked effectively to deny him space and also to pin him back with his ventures forward. It wasn’t Carvajal’s best night, but he was defensively sound enough and continued to link up well with Lamine Yamal down the right.
On 81 minutes, Luis de la Fuente opted to take him off and avoid him collecting an unnecessary yellow card which would have seen him suspended for the quarter-final.
With Spain now qualified, they will take on Germany in Stuttgart on Friday at 6pm CEST. Carvajal will almost certainly start and by then will be the only Real Madrid player in the squad, following Nacho’s official exit.
