'We've already won the Euros' - Georgia boss says no pressure against perfect Spain

COLOGNE, Germany : Underdogs Georgia will go into their historic knockout round match with Spain on Sunday brimming with confidence and keen to play some free-wheeling football having already surpassed expectations at Euro 2024, their coach Willy Sagnol said.

Georgia are on a high from their astonishing 2-0 triumph over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in their last group match on Wednesday, after riding a wave of excitement during their maiden Euros to qualify unexpectedly for the second round.

Having served up one of the biggest shocks in European Championship history, Sagnol said his players needed no motivating ahead of the match in Cologne, and he had encouraged them to secure their defence, then play freely.

"Once they have the ball, they know they can do everything they want. Football is not mathematics. Football is not a chess game. You have to play also with your feelings," he told reporters on Saturday.

"We will go into this game with a lot of confidence because we have absolutely nothing to lose," Sagnol said.

"For me, we already won the European Championship 2024."

IMPECCABLE SPAIN

Spain have been flawless in the group stage, mustering three wins from three without conceding a goal. During qualifying they won seven of eight matches, two of those against Georgia, where they scored a combined 10 goals.

Sagnol said that though he was known for prioritising a strong back line, it would backfire if Georgia were to play an entirely defensive strategy.

"Against a big team, when you're Georgia, if you only think about how to defend, you know at some point you're going to crumble," the Frenchman said.

"It's the story of football, like against Portugal; we'll show the Spanish team, but also show Europe, that we are not only