Following the conclusion of the Euro 2024 group stages, Spain remain the only team to win all their games ahead of their last-16 tie against Georgia in Cologne.
La Roja ended their group campaign with a 1-0 victory over Albania that featured a much-changed side, with Ferran Torres’ early strike enough to secure the win.
However, they will face a Georgia side brimming with self-belief after their maiden triumph at a major international tournament over Portugal last time out.
Willy Sagnol’s side have captured the hearts of football fans across the world, but know the enormity of the task ahead of them, with these teams having played against each other during qualifying.
Many expect Spain to maintain their winning start at Euro 2024, but as this tournament has proved already, anything can happen.
Here, we use Opta data to preview Sunday’s clash.
1. tr. Rodear (a alguien) con los brazos en señal de cariño.#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/EDQjTRKrGO
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 28, 2024
What’s expected?
Spain are expected to win this one, with the Opta supercomputer handing them a dominant 75% chance of getting the job done in Cologne.
Georgia triumphed in just 10.7% in the data-led simulations, with a draw forecast slightly higher at 14.3%.
This will be Spain’s eighth meeting with Georgia, but their first at a major tournament. La Roja have won six of their seven matches against the minnows in all competitions, all of which have been since 2012.
Spain won both qualifying games by an aggregate score of 10-2 (7-1 away, 3-1 home), but the tournament version of Georgia could present a much sterner test.
And Luis de la Fuente’s team must approach with caution, as Spain’s recent record in the knockout stages has been far from impressive.
They were eliminated in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup and 2022 World Cup, losing on penalties to Russia and Monaco respectively, though they did reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
With much of the spotlight on Spain’s attack, their defence has impressed and they are yet to concede a goal in Germa
