Spain’s journey in Euro 2024 took a surprising twist as they faced a determined Georgia in the round of 16 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. Georgia, making their debut appearance in the knockout stages of a European Championship, stunned the Spanish side with an unexpected lead. The Bulldogs, who had secured their place in the round of 16 by defeating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the group stage, capitalized on an unfortunate moment for Spain.
The goal came in a bizarre fashion, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament. A cross aimed at Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at the far post by Georgian right-back Otar Kakabadze ended up deflecting off the stomach of Spanish center-back Robin Le Normand and into the back of the net. This marked the eighth own goal in the tournament, a testament to the high-pressure nature and unexpected moments that define Euro 2024.
The match served as a reminder that even the most experienced and favored teams can face unexpected challenges in the knockout stages. The story of Georgia’s stunning performance and Spain’s struggle against a resilient opponent will undoubtedly be one of the talking points of the tournament.
