Spain concluded their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win against Georgia.
They had already qualified for next year’s tournament in Germany prior to the game, but a frenetic opening 10 minutes saw their early lead through Robin Le Normand cancelled out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The hosts were then forced into an early substitution when Gavi was forced off the field with an injury, but were able to wrap up victory when Ferran Torres headed them in front 10 minutes into the second half before Luka Lochoshvili scored an own goal.
The result means Spain finish top of Group A with seven wins under their belts, while Georgia finish fourth.
The hosts took the lead just four minutes in when Torres curled a free-kick into the box, going as far as Le Normand who nodded the ball home at the back post.
They had another great chance when Dani Carvajal broke down the right to find Gavi in the middle and the Barcelona midfielder forced a great save from Giorgi Mamardashvili, who palmed the ball away from the top corner.
Georgia brought themselves back into the game in the 10th minute when Giorgi Chakvetadze broke through and threaded a fantastic ball to Kvaratskhelia, who held off two defenders to roll the ball past Unai Simon’s outstretched leg and into the net.
Spain continued to lurk around the Georgian box and came close in the 22nd minute as Mamardashvili was forced to make a superb save at his left post from Fabian Ruiz’s in-swinging free-kick.
However, they were handed a major blow moments later though as Gavi limped off the pitch with injury and were quickly forced to clear the danger from a Georgian corner.
Another brilliant Spanish chance came in the 32nd minute when Torres’ curling low ball from the right found Alvaro Morata in the six-yard box and the Atletico Madrid forward fired first-time, but Mamardashvili denied him with a fine block.
Spain were on the attack early in the second half when Rodri fired straight at goal and they threatened again as Torres picked out the Manchester City midfielder, but Mamardashvili was able to claw the powerful header away.
They eventually earned their reward in the 55th minute when Jose Luis Gaya chipped the ball to Torres in the middle of the box, with his header bouncing past Mamardashvili into the right corner and he celebrated holding up Gavi’s shirt.
Some great play down the left saw Gaya threaten with another dangerous cross, but Morata’s resulting header was skewed wide and moments later Spain’s lead was extended when Lochoshvili headed Lamine Yamal’s cross into his own net in the 72nd minute.
Georgia were on the attack and Kvaratskhelia had a shot blocked by the Spanish defence and the hosts had another chance when Oihan Sancet volleyed over the crossbar.
The visitors had a late chance to earn a consolation at the death, but Giorgi Kochorashvili’s free-kick flew wide.
Motta not focused on Conte reunion ahead of Napoli clash
Thiago Motta said Juventus' main focus was on improving players' form, rather than the return of Napoli head coach Antonio Conte.
Conte will be back at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday for the first time as Napoli boss, having enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Juve as both a player and a manager.
As a player, he made 419 appearances, winning 12 titles, while as their head coach, he led Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles.
Juventus started the campaign with two wins but were then held by Roma and Empoli, while Conte's side are on a three-game winning streak, sitting in second.
Motta's side did, however, return to winning ways in the Champions League in midweek, beating PSV 3-1.
Conte said he was relishing his return to Turin, but Motta did not dwell on the nostalgia of the occasion as he aims to get back to winning ways.
"You are too focused on Conte and me," Motta told reporters on Friday. "Tomorrow it's Juventus-Napoli. Players are the protagonists, and we hope that our footballers will show their worth as always, bringing the game where we want."
Motta played under Conte at Euro 2016 and said he has a great relationship with his former coach. They have met as managers only once, back in 2019 when Conte was in charge at Inter and Motta managed Genoa.
Napoli won the title in 2023 but finished mid-table last season, 41 points behind champions Inter, while also failing to qualify for Europe.
But Motta said Conte's comparatively well-rested side are built to win the Scudetto this term.
“They are a strong team, and they’ve made changes this season built to aim for the highest and to win [the league]," Motta added.
"I don't know if it’s an advantage not to be playing in European competitions. The calendar is this one for us. We have to go and face teams game after game."
The 42-year-old added that striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was visibly upset after missing chances against PSV, is improving.
"[He] must always have the ambition to improve, just like everyone else, starting with me. His play alongside the team is improving," he said.
Motta confirmed that centre-back Federico Gatti, who sustained a minor injury against PSV, will be available on Saturday, while forward Francisco Conceicao remains sidelined.
Cushing relishing challenge of facing league leaders Miami on home soil
Nick Cushing is "excited" for New York City FC to welcome Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to Yankee Stadium and is looking forward to the challenge.
NYCFC are currently on an eight-match winless streak in MLS, with their last win in the competition coming back on July 4 against CF Montreal on home soil.
They were on the end of a heavy 5-1 thrashing at home in their last outing to Philadelphia Union.
Cushing's side have slipped to sixth in the Eastern Conference but are only three points behind Orlando City in fourth, and the head coach knows that a big performance against Miami would be the boost they need.
"The team is very excited for the game. Obviously, knowing that there's going to be a capacity crowd is something that is really unique," Cushing told GOAL.
"It's a one-off occasion, in the sense of knowing that the atmosphere is going to be amazing. It is going to be a difficult game, but the team is really motivated for the challenge.
"I think for the team as a whole, to put ourselves against the best team in the league, against players of this calibre, and it's a huge opportunity to show the progression we've made as a team."
Meanwhile, Miami hold an eight-point lead at the top of the table but saw their five-match winning streak ended by a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United last time out.
Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba started on the bench, while Sergio Busquets was suspended, as the young players were given a chance to shine.
The former three were brought on but could not help Miami snatch a win, and assistant coach Javi Morales was impressed by how the rotated side handled the game.
"It was a tough game, a tough stadium. We had a good performance, came away with a point," Morales said.
"It's not easy after not playing a lot to be thrown on the field from one day to the next and in that stadium. I think the young players did a good job."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYCFC – Alonso Martinez
Nine of Alonso Martinez's 12 goals this regular season have been scored at home, including netting New York City FC's lone goal on Wednesday.
The only two NYCFC players to score 10 home goals in a single MLS campaign are David Villa (three times) and Valentin Castellanos (twice).
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
Messi has played eight times for club and country in the New York City area, totaling seven goals in those appearances, but all those matches were played in northern New Jersey. The Argentine has never appeared in a match in New York state.
Leonardo Campana's strike in midweek was his 30th for Miami, making him the club's all-time leading scorer – Messi is just three goals off equaling that record.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
New York have lost only one of their 10 all-time meetings with Miami (W7 D2), though each of the last two meetings have ended in draws. NYCFC have won all four of their home matches against Miami, keeping clean sheets in all four wins.
However, New York have recorded one win in their last 12 matches in all competitions (D7 L3), with that lone victory coming over Tigres of Liga MX. NYCFC have not defeated an MLS opponent since a 2-0 win over CF Montreal on July 3.
Meanwhile, Miami have collected 63 points through 29 matches this season, equaling the third-most points at this stage of a season in MLS history. The only team to collect 66 points through 30 matches of a season was New England in their points record-setting 2021 campaign.
And though they do not have the best record against NYCFC, their recent form speaks for itself as they are unbeaten in their last six MLS outings.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYCFC – 31.3%
Draw – 25.2%
Inter Miami – 43.5%
Ancelotti: Winning is more important than performances
Carlo Ancelotti brushed aside criticism of Real Madrid's unattractive style, saying winning was more important than playing well.
Madrid are unbeaten with five victories across seven games in all competitions this season (two draws), and they got off to a winning start in their Champions League defence on Tuesday, beating Stuttgart 3-1.
In LaLiga, they have won their last two games 2-0 against Real Betis and Real Sociedad, but have still come under fire for their performances.
Ancelotti, however, defended his team's style ahead of their clash at home to mid-table Espanyol.
"Real Madrid fans prefer winning over playing well," he said.
"Ideally you want both, winning while playing an attractive style of football, but our main objective is pleasing our fans who are very demanding, so we will keep our focus on winning as we know that our squad is still far away from ideal form.
"We are not at our best and that is normal in the beginning of a demanding calendar. We will improve as the season starts to get into the important things to play for.
"For the moment we are in, we are doing well."
The Italian added he was not worried about the poor form of forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, who are still a work in progress despite playing better each week.
Mbappe has scored five goals already this campaign, while Vinicius also netted in their last league game, and Ancelotti is confident they will be back to their best soon.
"[The criticism] doesn't bother me because I see that the fans are delighted," Ancelotti said.
"You can play better, but the fans are used to our 'rock and roll' football. Not a lot of touches. We try to make the Madrid fans happy. And our game is about intensity, pace... Without wasting too much time in reaching the opponent's goal.
"These are our characteristics. We have players with a lot of strength and speed, especially on the ball, and we have to take advantage of that.
"For me, I believe that beautiful football depends on the characteristics of the players I have. Attacking well, defending well ... playing well on the counter. There are many facets and everyone has their own opinion..."
Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Atletico Madrid, Madrid and Villarreal.
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