Spaniards recover from initial shock with ruthless second half to KO small fish’s Euro 2024 dreams

FOUR out of four from the men in red.

And still, without a doubt, the team to beat.

But while Spain eventually broke the spirit of the valiant, unyielding and incredible Georgians, Germany, France and – perhaps – even England might not be entirely afraid of Luis de la Fuente’s camp.

Shaken by an own goal from defender Robin Le Normand, the tournament favorites were briefly faced with the same abyss that had so nearly buried the Three Lions.

But a sweet strike from Manchester City’s iceman Rodri restored calm before the break.

And as Georgia’s brave heart and legs finally gave out, Spain finally turned on the afterburner.

Fabian Ruiz headed in Lamine Yamal’s back-post cross and a raiding break ended with Nico Williams advancing from deep to thunder into the roof of the net before Dani Olmo snaked in the fourth.

That provided enough, even if it was a million miles away from what was expected after Spain beat the Georgians by 10 in two qualifying games.

De la Fuente’s men could have been the standout team in the group stage and had prodigy wingers Williams and Yamal back in the mix.

But despite Spain’s efforts from the start, their efforts were thwarted by Georgia’s resilience, determination and clear courage.

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Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who plays in La Liga for Valencia – started as he intended to continue with a clever low gathering as Pedri slid in to meet Dani Carvajal’s low cross after a surging Yamal run.

Mamardashvili saved his team again – just – as Carvajal’s pass headed into Williams’ inward corner and the underdogs were already in survival mode, making block after desperate block.

Which made their goal, resulting from a counter flash, even more astonishing.

Georges Mikautadze, one of the unlikely stars, started out wide on the right, where winger Otar Kakabadze advanced and played into the danger zone.

The Norman, too aware of the presence of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on his neck, had to play the ball and only diverted it into his own net.

Disbelief – at both ends.

And suddenly, the walk in the park turned into a path strewn with pitfalls.

Georgia’s confidence grew as Kvaratskhelia was a constant scourge, they lost a few more chances to counterattack and Spain’s composure was called into question.

Mamardashvili pushed away Marc Cucurella’s evasive shot and then headed back to his left to beat Williams.

But there was nothing he could do as Rodri, selected by Williams, had time and space to crash his left-footed shot into the bottom corner five minutes before the break.

Georgia argued that an offside by Alvaro Morata interfered with the goalkeeper, but this was rightly dismissed by the VAR booth in Leipzig. He had no impact on Mamardashvili.

Spain were galvanised but Georgia remained courageously committed, in defence and attack and so close to one of the greatest goals when they won the ball back.

Kvaratskhelia rushed forward but was still in his own half when he spotted Unai Simon who had strayed, his effort beating the retreating keeper but just outside the post.

But within a minute, Spain took the lead.

Mamardashvili dived to parry Yamal’s free-kick but Spain recycled the ball and when it came back to the teenager’s feet he picked out Ruiz to force the keeper from inside the penalty area.

This was finally the blow from which the Georgians, despite all their hard efforts, could not recover.

Yamal missed a sitter after a defensive rickitt gave him the ball, but Williams, picked off by Ruiz, rippled the net before Olmo finished it.

Of all their qualities, the two terrors are the sparkling diamonds. Next up, the hosts in Stuttgart on Friday.