Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Spain booked its place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals against Germany with a convincing 4-1 victory over Georgia in Cologne early Monday morning.
Spain conceded first when Robin Le Normand poked Otar Kakabadze’s curling cross past goalkeeper Unai Simon for an own goal in the 18th minute of the match. The lead sparked Georgia, playing its first European championship, who threatened on the counterattack with winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia causing problems for the Spanish defense.
However, Spain continued the press and their intricate passing and movement eventually paid off in the 39th minute when Rodri collected Nico Williams’ cross and scored from the edge of the box.
Spain took the lead in the sixth minute of the second half when Fabian Ruiz headed Lamine Yamal’s inviting cross past the Georgian keeper. Nico Williams scored Spain’s third in the 75th minute on the counterattack when he collected a pass near the center, raced into the box and unleashed a powerful shot into the Georgian post. Substitute Dani Olmo added the final flourish with a powerful strike in the 83rd minute when he controlled Mikel Oyarzabal just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box with the Georgian keeper rooted in his place.
England survives Slovakia scare
Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic equalizer in the 95th minute, just when England was crashing out of Euro 2024, and Harry Kane scored in the very first minute of extra time to send England in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Euro with a 2-1 victory over spirited Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening.
England was poor in the first half and Slovakia deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute when Ivan Schranz, played onside by Kylie Walker, raced into the box and poked a low finish past England keeper Jordan Pickford.
Slovakia preserved its first-half lead till the 95th minute. Just when everyone thought England would crash out of the 2024 Euro, Jude Bellingham scored from an audacious bicycle kick to give a lifeline to England and break Slovakian hearts. England started extra time strong and Harry Kane headed home the winner in the first extra time minute to seal the victory.
England will meet Switzerland in the quarterfinal.
