Spain's journey in the Euro 2024 tournament continued its remarkable trajectory with a decisive 4-1 victory over Georgia in the quarterfinals held in Stuttgart. This win marked Spain's fourth consecutive triumph in the tournament, solidifying their unbeaten run and setting the stage for a thrilling semifinal clash against the hosts, Germany.
Rodri's Commanding Performance
Despite an early setback caused by Robin Le Normand's own goal that gifted Georgia the lead, Spain quickly regained their composure. The equalizer came from a familiar and reliable source, as Rodri, who was later named Player of the Match by UEFA, netted the goal that brought Spain back into contention.
Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, lauded Rodri's influence on the team. "We were calm at half-time, there was no anxiety, and the players knew what was needed. And then we have Rodri, who is a computer who makes everyone else play," he remarked. Rodri's ability to manage all the emotions and moments perfectly proved to be a big help for everyone on the pitch.
Young Talents Shine Bright
Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo added their names to the scoresheet, reflecting Spain's offensive firepower. Particularly impressive was the performance of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. At just 16 years and 353 days old, Yamal not only became the youngest player to feature in the knockout rounds of a major tournament but also etched his name in the records as the first European teenager to assist in two or more goals at a major tournament since Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004.
De la Fuente had high praise for his young protégé. "He played really well, but I think he can do much better. He likes to take risks, but maybe there are moments when a bit more calm is needed," he said. "But he is 16 and he is still learning. Today is great for that and for what is to come in the immediate future."
Georgia's Historic Run
Despite the loss, Georgia's journey to the quarterfinals, their first appearance in a major tournament, was nothing short of historic. Finishing the tournament as the lowest-ranked team, they managed to reach the knockout stages, a commendable feat under the guidance of their coach, Willy Sagnol.
Sagnol expressed his mixed emotions post-match. "We are not disappointed but feel sad because we lost. I am sure in some days we will realize what we have done and happiness will come back quickly," he stated. Highlighting some contentious moments in the match, he added, "It was clearly offside. If [Netherlands defender] Denzel Dumfries is offside [against France] then that was 10 times more offside today. VAR is a fantastic evolution, but we don't use it properly."
Preparing for Germany
Looking ahead to the semifinal clash with Germany, Spain is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. De la Fuente acknowledges the robustness of their upcoming opponents. "With all respect to all the other national teams, we have the best team and the best players. Does that mean we're going to win it? No, but we will fight for it. We are up against a very powerful team in Germany," he emphasized.
Rodri echoed the sentiments of his coach but exuded confidence in the team's capabilities. "Germany will be strong at home, but we aren't afraid. We must produce a good performance, but we are not here to play well or leave a good image, we are here to win with everything we have -- that is the mentality of this team," he asserted.
Spain's mix of experienced campaigners and young talents has proven to be a successful formula thus far. With a total of 35 shots on goal in the match against Georgia, their offensive intent is clear. As they prepare for what promises to be a captivating semifinal, the Spanish squad remains focused on their ultimate objective: lifting the Euro 2024 trophy.
In conclusion, Spain's impressive performance in the tournament thus far has set them on a path towards potential glory. The combination of seasoned players like Rodri and emerging stars like Yamal provides a balanced and dynamic squad capable of overcoming challenges. As they brace for the formidable German team, Spain will look to carry forward their momentum and continue their quest for European supremacy.