Yalla Shoot :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 tears in Valladolid.
Manager Luis de la Fuente said Spain 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
- 23Simón
- 20Carvajal
- 3Le Normand
- 5MartínezBooked at 90mins
- 14Gayà
- 9GaviSubstituted forSancetat 26′minutes
- 16RodriBooked at 56minsSubstituted forZubimendiat 86′minutes
- 8Ruiz
- 11F TorresSubstituted forYamalat 65′minutes
- 7Morata
- 10Nico WilliamsSubstituted forRiquelmeat 86′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Raya
- 2Grimaldo
- 4Riquelme
- 6Merino
- 12Joselu
- 13Remiro
- 15García
- 17Yamal
- 18Zubimendi
- 19Sancet
- 21García
- 22Navas
Georgia
Formation 5-3-2
- 12Mamardashvili
- 2KakabadzeSubstituted forMamuchashviliat 90′minutes
- 5Kvirkvelia
- 4KashiaBooked at 83mins
- 14Lochoshvili
- 15AzaroviSubstituted forGocholeishviliat 78′minutes
- 10ChakvetadzeSubstituted forAltunashviliat 90′minutes
- 16KvekveskiriSubstituted forMekvabishviliat 60′minutes
- 11Kochorashvili
- 22MikautadzeSubstituted forDavitashviliat 60′minutes
- 7KvaratskheliaBooked at 75mins
Substitutes
- 1Loria
- 3Kalandadze
- 6Aburjania
- 8Zivzivadze
- 9Davitashvili
- 13Gocholeishvili
- 17Gugeshashvili
- 18Mamuchashvili
- 19Volkovi
- 20Altunashvili
- 21Mekvabishvili
- 23Gelashvili
Live Text
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Match ends, Spain 3, Georgia 1.
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Second Half ends, Spain 3, Georgia 1.
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Attempt missed. Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
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Íñigo Martínez (Spain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Íñigo Martínez (Spain).
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Zuriko Davitashvili (Georgia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Dani Carvajal (Spain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia).
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Attempt saved. Fabián Ruiz (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oihan Sancet.
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Substitution, Georgia. Vladimer Mamuchashvili replaces Otar Kakabadze.
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Substitution, Georgia. Sandro Altunashvili replaces Giorgi Chakvetadze.
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Substitution, Spain. Martín Zubimendi replaces Rodri.
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Substitution, Spain. Rodrigo Riquelme replaces Nico Williams.
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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.
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Guram Kashia (Georgia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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José Gayà (Spain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Guram Kashia (Georgia).
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Attempt missed. Rodri (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Dani Carvajal.
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Foul by Lamine Yamal (Spain).
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Giorgi Kochorashvili (Georgia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.