Spain 3-1 Georgia: Barcelona’s Gavi suffers serious knee injury in Euro 2024 qualifying win
Spain and Barcelona midfielder Gavi suffered a serious knee injury in the Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia.
The 19-year-old landed awkwardly after jumping to control the ball and left the pitch in Valladolid in tears.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said they must wait for tests amid concerns it could be an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“This is the ugly part of football. This is the most bitter victory I have ever experienced in my life,” he said.
“It is a very difficult moment for Gavi, Barcelona, the national team and for me – it seems as if we have lost the game.
“I am very sorry (for Gavi). Let’s wait for the tests to confirm the extent of the injury.”
Spain, who had already sealed their place at next summer’s European Championships, beat Georgia 3-1 to finish top of Group A above Scotland.
Defender Robin le Normand put Spain ahead after four minutes but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalised.
Ferran Torres restored Spain’s lead in the second half before Luka Lochoshvili scored an own goal for Georgia.
“We can’t celebrate as we would have liked. Gavi’s injury is a hard blow. I’m really gutted,” said Le Normand.
Torres, who held up Gavi’s shirt to celebrate his goal, said: “An important victory to end on a good note, but we leave with a bittersweet feeling.
“We don’t know the extent of the injury but, knowing how much of a warrior Gavi is, we think it could be serious.”
Line-ups
Spain
Formation 4-3-3
23Simón20Carvajal3Le Normand5MartínezBooked at 90mins14Gayà9GaviSubstituted forSancetat 26’minutes16RodriBooked at 56minsSubstituted forZubimendiat 86’minutes8Ruiz11F TorresSubstituted forYamalat 65’minutes7Morata10Nico WilliamsSubstituted forRiquelmeat 86’minutesSubstitutes1Raya2Grimaldo4Riquelme6Merino12Joselu13Remiro15García17Yamal18Zubimendi19Sancet21García22Navas
Georgia
Formation 5-3-2
12Mamardashvili2KakabadzeSubstituted forMamuchashviliat 90’minutes5Kvirkvelia4KashiaBooked at 83mins14Lochoshvili15AzaroviSubstituted forGocholeishviliat 78’minutes10ChakvetadzeSubstituted forAltunashviliat 90’minutes16KvekveskiriSubstituted forMekvabishviliat 60’minutes11Kochorashvili22MikautadzeSubstituted forDavitashviliat 60’minutes7KvaratskheliaBooked at 75minsSubstitutes1Loria3Kalandadze6Aburjania8Zivzivadze9Davitashvili13Gocholeishvili17Gugeshashvili18Mamuchashvili19Volkovi20Altunashvili21Mekvabishvili23Gelashvili
Live Text
Match ends, Spain 3, Georgia 1.
Second Half ends, Spain 3, Georgia 1.
Attempt missed. Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Íñigo Martínez (Spain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Íñigo Martínez (Spain).
Zuriko Davitashvili (Georgia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Dani Carvajal (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia).
Attempt saved. Fabián Ruiz (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oihan Sancet.
Substitution, Georgia. Vladimer Mamuchashvili replaces Otar Kakabadze.
Substitution, Georgia. Sandro Altunashvili replaces Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Substitution, Spain. Martín Zubimendi replaces Rodri.
Substitution, Spain. Rodrigo Riquelme replaces Nico Williams.
Attempt missed. Oihan Sancet (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.
Guram Kashia (Georgia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
José Gayà (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Guram Kashia (Georgia).
Attempt missed. Rodri (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Dani Carvajal.
Foul by Lamine Yamal (Spain).
Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
AUTHOR:
All copyrights for this article, including images, are reserved to the original source and/or creator(s).
Advertisement