Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed confidence that his team could have secured a 9-1 victory against Georgia, as they comfortably advanced to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Sunday. Despite initially falling behind due to Robin Le Normand’s own goal, La Roja responded emphatically with a 4-1 win in Cologne.
They dominated against the tournament’s surprise team, creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo all found the net for Spain. Meanwhile, 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal missed two clear chances that could have made him the youngest ever goal scorer in Euros history.
“We’re very happy because we know what it takes to be here, that’s been shown by what the other teams have gone through,” De la Fuente told Spanish television.
“(The result) was deceptive because it could have been 8-1 or 9-1. We had to suffer, counter-attacking is their weapon.
“They didn’t manage to get a shot on target and we put ours away, so we’re very happy.”
Joint record three-time Euros champions Spain now face the tournament’s other form team, Germany, in the quarter-finals on Friday.
De la Fuente told reporters he expects a close game against the hosts in Stuttgart.
“Germany is a great team, with great individuals of a high level, some of the best in the world,” said the 63-year-old.
“They are well organised and disciplined, but they will have in front of them a very similar team, with a lot of commitment, well organised, hard to overcome, very hungry, very ambitious.
“It will be a very balanced, even game and at this level, it will be the details that determine it for one team or the other. We have to keep working like we have been, and keeping focussing on our strengths and keep improving — we are not perfect.”
De la Fuente sang the praises of his players after they stayed calm despite falling behind and produced 35 shots, while restricting Georgia to four with none on target.
“I don’t want to offend anyone, but I think we have the best team and the best players. Does that mean we will win (the competition)? No, but we will fight for it,” added De la Fuente, who led Spain to Nations League glory last year after an 11-year trophy drought.
“It doesn’t guarantee anything, we know that, but we have footballing strength with talent, quality, commitment, and players who are buying in, and that’s something very important.”
Yamal threatened throughout but despite another bright display from the Barcelona winger, De la Fuente said he could still improve significantly.
“He had a great game but he could have done much better, taken his time in some moments — we have to invite him to have more calm,” said the coach.
“But he is 16 and in a period of learning, and this game will stand him in good stead for that.
“He is lucky he’s living through this so young and is surrounded by great players who are helping him a lot.”
