Red alert for Spain

Euro 2016 Georgia defeat La Roja in final tune-up

Spain's final tune-up for Euro 2016 ended in shocking style as they fell 1-0 to Georgia on Tuesday evening at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in Getafe.

Spain dominated possession and had the large majority of the game's scoring chances, but a lack of finishing and a major lapse in defence gifted the eastern Europeans the stunning victory.

With the Czech Republic awaiting on Monday in their Euro 2016 opener, Tuesday's defeats brings back the questions and doubts that hounded Spain following their dismal performance at the 2014 World Cup. A nearly perfect Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and friendly wins over Bosnia-Herzegovina and South Korea suggested that the "old Spain" had returned, but Tuesday's loss could prove the harbinger of a difficult tournament.

Of note in head coach Vicente del Bosque's starting XI was the presence of David De Gea in goal and the Spain debut of Real Madrid winger Lucas Vázquez.

It was Spain's game from the start, and Sergio Ramos came within inches of stabbing in a shot at the far post after Gerard Piqué had deftly used his back to flick on a Thiago ball into the box. Cesc Fabregas was next to threaten in the opening stages, but the Chelsea man shot right at the Georgia defence.

To their credit, the Georgians withstood the early pressure from La Roja, as they looked to catch the hosts on the break. A Thiago rocket that stung the post just shy of the half hour mark suggested that the opening goal was set to come for Spain, but to the bewilderment of nearly all in attendance, it was Georgia who scored the game's first goal.

A careless pass from full-back set Georgia off on a break, with Valeri Qazaishvili charging into the area, before the ball landed to Jambul Jighauri, who found an unmarked Tornike Okriashavili unmarked at the back post for the tap-in and a shock 1-0 lead.

In what started off as a warm and festive environment had quickly turned sour for Spain, as the players departed the pitch at half-time with whistles raining down from the stands.

Del Bosque made a number of changes to begin the second stanza, with Andres Iniesta, Héctor Bellerín and Koke on for Fabregas, Juanfran and Thiago, respectively.

There were some positive movements forward for La Roja, yet by the hour mark they still found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline. The in-form Nolito almost brought Spain level, but his shot grazed the post.

If they weren't already playing defensively, Georgia soon brought all 11 players behind the ball as each minute ticked away and an improbable victory neared. Still, Spain probed and penetrated and were unlucky not to see Alba connect off a curling ball in from David Silva.

In the end, Spain were never able to find that finishing touch, as Georgia flung themselves into every shot or pass to prevent a Spanish goal. A Nolito ball across the area in stoppage time would prove to be the final chance for the hosts, and at the sound of the final whistle, the two-time defending European champions could only look around in disbelief at what had just taken place.