There were lightning, hailstones, showers and gusts of wind on Saturday in Dortmund to complicate Germany’s task against Denmark (2-0). But this Sunday evening, a few dozen kilometers from the Ruhr, the storm was no longer in the sky but rather on the ground, where the valiant Georgia finally took the eau de Cologne, under a pouring rain of attacks Spanish.
It is true that the first clap of thunder was given by the Georgians. With the eighth own goal of this Euro, this time signed Le Normand (18th: 0-1), to electrocute the Spaniards who had not yet conceded in this Euro and had especially just struck nine times, obtaining six corner kicks and keep the ball 85% of the time.
Still as impressive, Spain inflicts a slap on Georgia and awaits Germany firmly (4-1)
But instead of knocking out La Roja, the Georgian lightning strike – sparked by a superb cross from Kakabadze – instead caused an electroshock. First, there were attacks from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Marc Cucurella who came up against the excellent Mamardashvili, before Rodri found the net from distance to revive Spain (38th: 1-1).
Even though they found themselves cornered by the ultra-domination of Luis de la Fuente’s men, Georgia still dared to try their luck on the counterattack, with Kochorashvili, Kvaratskhelia and Chakvetadze, all three capable of exploiting the rare balls they touched. Kvaratskhelia only needed a metre to beat Unai Simon from the halfway line (47th) to cause a second shock.
Who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind. Three minutes later, Spain led 2-1 thanks to Fabian Ruiz’s header on an assist from Yamal, who became the first player under 20 to give two assists in a Euro since… Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004. C It was then Nico Williams who put an end to the suspense after a superb counter (75th: 3-1) before Dani Olmo further increased the gap (83rd: 4-1) to transpose the stifling scorer into the scoreboard. Spanish control.
Some figures to illustrate the little red hurricane that turned Georgia upside down in the second half: 33 shots (to 4), 78% possession, 741 successful passes (to 208) and no less than 966 balls touched (to 422). Germany has been warned: if it wants to continue its dream at home, it will have to find a solid lightning rod to counter in Stuttgart this magnificent Spanish team that has only reinforced its status as the new big favorite.
