Spain hammered Georgia 4-1 in their Euro 2024 last-16 tie (PA Wire)
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes his side should be considered favourites for Euro 2024 after they hammered Georgia in their last-16 tie on Sunday evening.
Georgia took a surprise lead following Robin Le Normand’s own goal but Spain delivered an emphatic response as Rodri equalised before the break before second-half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo sealed a 4-1 win.
Spain now face a tough test in the quarter final as they play tournament hosts Germany on July 5 at 5pm. They will then play either Portugal, Slovenia, France or Belgium in the semi final on July 9.
La Roja are the only team in the competition who have won all of their games so far and have delivered several impressive performances in the tournament.
And De la Fuente is adamant that he is in charge of the best team remaining in Euro 2024.
‘The match is 8-1 or 9-1,’ De la Fuente said after Spain’s win against Georgia.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are key to Spain’s attack (AFP via Getty)
‘The objective is to win another match and knowing that we are going to play against Germany.
‘With all due respect to the other players, we have the best team and players in the world. That doesn’t mean we are sure to win, but we are going to fight for it
‘All teams have flaws. We have our own set of tools and also our weaknesses.
EURO 2024 LAST-16 FIXTURES AND RESULTS
June 29
Switzerland 2-0 Italy
Germany 2-0 Denmark
June 30
England 2-1 Slovakia (AET)
Spain 4-1 Georgia
July 1
France vs Belgium (Dusseldorf, 5pm)
Portugal vs Slovenia (Frankfurt, 8pm)
July 2
Romania vs Netherlands (Munich, 5pm)
Austria vs Turkey (Leipzig, 8pm)
‘Germany is a great team, with great individual players and they work very well as a team. They are facing a very similar team, very organised, difficult to beat, very hungry.
‘It will be a very close match and it will be the details that will determine the match. We are very confident in ourselves.’
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Rodri insists they should not be afraid of Germany ahead of their quarter-final clash next Monday.
‘We will never know if it is good or bad. All the teams are good,’ Rodri said.
‘We will see. Germany are going to be strong at home. We are not afraid.
‘If we want to go through, we will have to play a great game. We are going to try with everything what we have.
‘Against Germany the game will be very different from Georgia.’
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