Evening Standard
·28 de junio de 2024
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·28 de junio de 2024
Willy Sagnol’s minnows out to cause one of greatest-ever upsets
Georgia, the surprise package of Euro 2024, are tasked with completing perhaps the continent’s greatest-ever upset when they face Spain in the last-16.
Already, Willy Sagnol’s team have created the biggest upset in Euros history, according to FIFA ranking, by defeating Portugal to qualify for the knockouts.
While beating a much-changed Portuguese team which had already topped their group is mightily impressive, repeating the trick against a Spanish side boasting a 100 per cent record in a last-16 tie would be something else.
La Roja were not fancied among the top two or three favourites heading to Germany but they won every game in a tough Group B without conceding a goal.
Now they must hold their nerve against the rampant Georgians to book a quarter-final tie against either the hosts or Denmark.
Spain vs Georgia is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Sunday June 30, 2024.
The match will take place at Cologne Stadium.
Georgia have been Euro 2024’s big surprise package
Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the ITVX app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Luis de la Fuente made ten changes to his starting line-up for the 1-0 win over Albania having already secured first place in their group, as only Aymeric Laporte wasn’t rested.
The likes of Nico Williams, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata will all return for this game. Rodri is back from a one-game ban.
Nacho Fernandez and Ayoze Perez are battling to be fit after injury absences.
Anzor Mekvabishvili is suspended for Georgia so Watford’s Giorgi Chakvetadze will keep his place in midfield.
Solomon Kvirkvelia and Giorgi Tsitaishvili are expected to return in the five-man defence, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Euro 2024 top scorer Georges Mikautadze spearheading their attack.
It would be a truly monumental occasion if Georgia can take this game to extra-time, let alone win it. But Spain are looking seriously good and should have enough to reach the last eight in comfortable enough fashion.
Spain to win, 2-0.
Spain faced Georgia in qualification for Euro 2024 and won both games at an aggregate score of 10-2. Georgia’s only win in this fixture came in a 2016 friendly when they were ranked 137 in the world and Spain were preparing for that summer’s Euros.
Spain wins: 6
Georgia wins: 1
Draws: 0
Spain to qualify: 1/16
Georgia to qualify: 15/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).