Touted as one of the most entertaining matchups of this knockout round, Spain vs Georgia did not disappoint.
Georgia's opening goal will have sent shockwaves through Cologne with many wondering if the Caucasus nation could pull off the absolute impossible.
Sadly, it was not to be, with a tightly organised Spanish side showing their quality for the rest of the game, hitting Georgia for four with some well-taken goals.
Georgia accepted their fate in the final few minutes and bowed out of the Euros with pride. Spain, on the other hand, will look to keep up their dominance as they aim to get their hands on a Euros title for the first time since 2012.
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Georgia were entertaining even in defeat
It is important to remember that this is Georgia's first-ever Euros appearance, so to exit at this stage against a team as established as Spain is a feat they can be immensely proud of.
The scoreline may not tell the whole story, as Georgia fought hard for a good chunk of the game, giving Spain an early scare when an Otar Kakabadze cross took a favourable deflection off Robin Le Normand to give the visitors the lead.
Georgia stuck with their plan of defending deep in a 5-3-2 formation before pushing quick counter-attacks and looking to throw their opponents off their game, utilising individual talent to try and create goalscoring opportunities.
After scoring the opener, they played with tremendous courage and confidence, throwing in some flair and skill; something the travelling Georgian fans seemed to enjoy tremendously.
They can head home with their heads held high, reflecting on that electric opening goal, as well as positive results elsewhere, notably their 2-0 victory against Portugal.
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Spain prove why they’re still one of the favourites
Spain needed to respond quickly to Georgia's positive opening, and they did just that, showing professionalism to see out the game comfortably and send a strong message to the remaining teams at the tournament.
Rodri produced a textbook finish in the first half to level the scoring after 45 minutes before second-half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and substitute Dani Olmo sealed a comfortable win for La Roja.
The team are a joy to watch, with the capacity to play quick, tiki-taka football through the centre of the pitch, as well as creating chances from the wings thanks to the one-on-one talents of Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Furthermore, players such as Ruiz, Rodri and even surprise standouts such as Marc Cucurella provide a good backbone to the team.
It was a textbook victory for Spain, who impressed in the group stage and were the only team to top their group with a maximum of nine points.
Luis de la Fuente's side can now start preparation for a tasty quarter-final tie against hosts Germany.
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Keep an eye on Kvaratskhelia
After impressing at club level, Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia entered the Euros with a point to prove and has certainly attracted fresh attention.
Kvaratskhelia has stressed that a decision on his club future will be made after the Euros - and following Georgia's exit he will now weigh up his options, with several big names registering interest in the player.
He was the star of the show for Georgia as usual, demonstrating his world-class dribbling ability to glide past tackles and set his teammates up for chances.
He worked hard for his team's opening goal, placing pressure on defender Le Normand to play the ball into his own net, and caused his opponents constant issues with his pressing, movement, and creative output.
A highlight came in the second half - an ambitious shot from the halfway line with his weaker foot, which could have levelled the scoring but instead flashed just wide of the post.
His tournament may be over, but at only 23 years old, Kvaratskhelia will be a player on everyone's radar and will only get better as time goes on.
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Yamal’s wait for a tournament goal continues
Yamal continues to break records at this year's Euros.
The Barcelona winger entered this tournament aged just 16 years and 338 days and has featured in all of Spain's games so far; highlighting the confidence shown in him by de la Fuente.
It makes him the youngest player to feature at a European Championships, and after his cameo this evening, the youngest player to feature in the knockout rounds, taking the title off of England superstar Jude Bellingham.
Arguably the more creative of Spain's starting wingers, Yamal picked up an assist after delivering a laser-guided cross to Ruiz at the back post, who produced a powerful header to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.
He boasted an 89% pass accuracy and created six chances in the game - the most out of any Spain player.
However, Yamal is still searching for a tournament goal, which would hand him yet another record as the youngest goalscorer in Euros history.
From several efforts on goal, he had no luck and was often bested by Mamardashvili, one of Georgia's standout players. The best of the bunch was a dangerous free-kick which looped over the wall and called the Georgia keeper into action.
It was another top-class performance from the 16-year-old, and while his search for a goal continues, his guaranteed creative threat means Yamal will surely retain his place in the team.
