MillenniumPost
Sports

Georgia defeat Spain ahead of Euros

Georgia, ranked 137 in the world, hadn’t won a game since defeating minnows Gibraltar in Euro qualifying in October.

However, they defended resolutely and took full advantage of their one real attack when Tornike Okriashvili tapped home at the far post six minutes before half-time.

Spain begin their quest for a third consecutive European Championship against the Czech Republic on June 13 in Toulouse.

Vicente del Bosque had named a stronger side than in Spain’s comfortable wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Korea in the past week with the Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contingent returning after their duties in the Champions League final.

The hosts were camped in the Georgia half for almost the entire match, but paid for a lack of creativity in breaking down the visitors’ mass ranks of defence and were caught out on the counter-attack just before the break.

Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez impressed early on as he made his international debut and from his cross Aritz Aduriz was inches away from opening the scoring with a bullet header that flew just wide.
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara struck the post from outside the box as Spain continued to press. 

Del Bosque made four changes at the break with Iniesta among those introduced.Despite seven minutes of stoppage time being added on, Spain’s search for an equaliser petered out as they suffered defeat for the first time in 12 matches. 
Next Story
Share it