On July 1st, Spain beat Georgia 4-1 in the Round of 16 of the European Championship, advancing to the quarterfinals. This is the first time Spain has won a match in 90 minutes of a knockout stage in either the European Championship or World Cup since 2012.
Between 2008 and 2012, Spain won one World Cup and two European Championships in five years, establishing a dynastic era for the team. However, following this period, Spanish football has been in decline.
In the 2014 World Cup, Spain, as reigning champions, were eliminated in the group stage. In the 2016 European Championship, Spain reached the Round of 16, but were defeated 0-2 by Italy in the knockout stage, failing to defend their title. In the 2018 World Cup, Spain reached the Round of 16, but were knocked out by the host nation Russia in a penalty shootout. In the 2020 European Championship, Spain advanced from the group stage, subsequently winning against Croatia in extra time and Switzerland in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals, before being defeated by Italy in a penalty shootout. In the 2022 World Cup, Spain advanced from the group stage, but was defeated by Morocco in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.
In this match, Spain’s 4-1 victory over Georgia to advance to the quarterfinals marks the first time since 2012 that Spain has won a knockout stage match in the European Championship or World Cup in 90 minutes.
This article is from a user submission and does not represent the views of Soccer News Pick. If you repost it, please indicate the source: https://www.soccernewspick.com/uefa-european-championship/3814.html
