Georgia stunned reigning European champions Spain by picking up an unlikely 1-0 victory at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Tuesday evening.
La Roja, just six days away from starting the defence of their Euro crown, fell to Tornike Okriashvili's tap-in shortly before half time in Madrid.
For all of Spain's possession, they struggled to make it truly count and were made to pay when the visiting side took their only real opening of the match.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the international friendly meeting between Spain and Georgia at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Madrid. The European Championship finals are now just three days away, giving La Roja - the current holders of the famous trophy - one last chance to finalise their preparations before making the trip to France.
Vicente del Bosque raised a few eyebrows with his squad selection last month, leaving out national hero Fernando Torres and flop striker - at international level, at least - Diego Costa. This sixth-in-the-world side may lack out-and-out striking options, but they do have plenty of other attacking talents among their ranks - not least Celta Vigo's Nolito who has bagged four goals in his last two outings.
The 2010 World Cup winners may have gone under the radar this time around, particularly compared to four years ago when they retained the title that they won in 2008, but they are still a real force to be reckoned with. Hosts France and tournament heavyweights Germany are currently backed as the two frontrunners with many bookmakers, although La Roja are not too far behind in that regard.
It is hard to forget that terrible campaign of two years ago, though, when Del Bosque's men fell to a heavy opening-game defeat and failed to truly recover. A loss to Chile followed and Spain were on the first flight back home with a whimper, ending what had been a true run of domination of both European and world football. It has not quite been all change since then, with more than a few familiar faces around, but this is certainly a new era of sorts for La Roja.
They are still in a state of flux in many respects, with a nice blend in the side that is still being managed by experienced head coach Del Bosque. It could be argued that no other nation at the Euros will take a squad containing quite as much quality as Spain, which is best summed up by the names left at home - Juan Mata, Diego Costa and Fernando Torres to name just three of many.
We can expect Del Bosque to go with his tried and tested 4-3-3 layout in France, but it is not so clear who will spearhead that attacking formation. The biggest question mark comes at the other end of the field, though, where Iker Casillas continues to hold off the challenge from one of the world's finest goalkeepers in David de Gea. The latter is expected to start this evening's game, though many are expecting the more experienced Casillas to get the nod for one final time when the real thing gets underway.
In terms of their form since that poor World Cup showing, Spain actually continued to struggle in the months following their group-stage exit as they lost a friendly with France - no too disastrous on the face of it, granted - before suffering a shock defeat to Slovakia. That reverse at the hands of the small nation really was cause for concern, coming so early in the qualification campaign at a time when so many questions were still being asked of this squad.
Incredibly, that was Spain's first defeat in qualifying in some eight years, putting an end to their dominance once and for all. Certain key figures now out of the picture and serious questions being asked over others, credit must be given to Del Bosque for steadying the ship and picking up maximum points through the remainder of the campaign. Spain did lose two other high-profile friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany, but they will head to France with their heads in a better place compared to 19 months or so ago.
During that near-perfect qualification run, Spain scored 23 times in total to finish above closest challengers Slovakia and Ukraine. The Slovaks did put up a good fight when winning all six of their opening fixtures, including that surprise win over La Roja, before fading away slightly and allowing Del Bosque's men to claim their rightful position at the summit. At the other end, just three goals were shipped - the best defensive record of any side at the Euros.
Spain have found themselves in a state of flux for so much of the past two years since their disastrous showing in Brazil but, one rare defeat aside, it was a perfect qualification campaign as they picked up nine wins from 10. Just three goals were shipped in that time, too, making them the toughest side to break down on the continent.
Del Bosque's charges are now unbeaten in their last 11 fixtures, winning each of the last two - 3-1 against Bosnia; 6-1 against South Korea - to get back on track following back-to-back draws. Italy and Romania both held the reigning European champions to a stalemate, but preparations have moved up a gear or two over the past week. Spain now have their Atletico and Real Madrid contingent to choose from, too, so expect a strong lineup this evening.
The six goals scored against Korea last week came via an array of players, with David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Nolito (2) and Alvaro Morata all chipping in. As expected, Del Bosque went with his 4-3-3 formation in that one - a layout each of these players are well accustomed to - with Morata the man to be given the nod through the middle. Andres Iniesta, Fabregas and Soriano were the three men to make up midfield, meanwhile, but that could change slightly this evening with the latter expected to make way.
DID YOU KNOW? Spain have conceded just four goals in their last 11 outings, across both competitive and friendly action. As mentioned a little earlier, La Roja also shipped just three times during their successful qualification campaign to ensure that they head to France with the best defensive options - on paper, at least. Now, will it be De Gea or Casillas to get the nod in goal?
Before switching attention to how Georgia shape-up heading into this friendly fixture in Madrid, let us first check out some confirmed team news from the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Del Bosque stressed earlier this week that this selection would not be the same XI that he would pick against the Czech Republic next Monday, but it will surely be close to the real thing.
TEAM NEWS!
SPAIN XI: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Thiago, Fabregas; Lucas Vazquez, Nolito, Aduriz
GEORGIA XI: Makaridze, Lobzhanidze, Amisulashvili, Kvirkvelia, Navalovski, Kobakhidze, Kankava, Mchedlidze, Aburjania, Kenia, Kazaishvili
Starting with the home team, then, and Del Bosque has indeed decided to go with De Gea between the sticks rather than Casillas. That means nothing in terms of who will be given the nod in six days' time, of course, with playing time all that matters right now. The big news is that Lucas Vazquez, fresh on the back of a fine campaign at Real Madrid, is handed his senior bow in the Spanish national side.
Nolito, a man who has struck four goals in his last two outings, is again given a chance to impress through the middle in a 4-3-3 formation. Aduriz and Vazquez are the men to offer support either side, while Fabregas retains his place in a deeper midfield position alongside Thiago and Busquets - no place for Andres Iniesta, then, who is one of eight players to drop out from the win over South Korea last time out.
Gerard Pique is the only other player to retain his place, starting in the heart of defence alongside Sergio Ramos. Juanfran and Alba will provide support down the flanks, replacing Azpilicueta and Bellerin from last week's win. It really is a squad boasting so much talent right from front to back, with Del Bosque having some major decisions to make heading into that upcoming fixture with Czech Republic.
Spain are boosted by the return of their Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contingent this evening, fresh on the back of the Champions League final meeting between the pair. This is a seriously strong La Roja side, containing a perfect blend of youth and experience from front to back - and it is also a side containing Los Blancos winger Lucas Vazquez for the first time.
In terms of the visiting side, Vladimir Dualishvili drops out from the 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Romania last time out as manager Vladimir Weiss - appointed just a few months ago - makes a raft of changes to his team. Goalkeeper Rob Kvaskhvadze is another to make way, with Makaridze the man given the nod on what could be an extremely busy evening for him. Solomon Kverkvelia and Alexander Amisulashvili are among those to keep their place in the side.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on just two previous occasions, with both of those fixtures coming the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign. Spain won both, as you would expect, claiming a 2-0 win in October 2013 and a 1-0 triumph in the reverse tie as they secured a comfortable passage through to the Brazil finals. Roberto Soldado, Juan Mata and Alvaro Negredo were the scorers, all of whom failed to make the cut this time around.
So while Spain have another major finals to look forward to over the coming month, it is a familiar story for Georgia who instead will spend the summer focusing on the next campaign. The Crusaders, ranked at 137 in the world - directly below fellow minnows Tanzania, Namibia and Vietnam - are now under new management and hoping to make so sort of impact once their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign gets up and running in September.
Georgia plummeted from their position as the world's 73rd best-ranked side down to their current lowly position over the space of a couple of years, giving them a tricky task as bottom seeds in the next qualification process. They are alongside Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Moldova and top seeds Austria - a nice group on the face of it but one that they are unlikely to progress through once more.
The Crusaders struggled when it came to scoring goals in the campaign just gone, finding the net just four times in games with Germany, Republic of Ireland, Germany and Poland. They did have a welcome respite when beating Gibraltar home and away, but that is very much par for the course. There was one big reason to take some hope forward, though, as they saw off Scotland on home soil to stun Gordon Strachan's men and open the door for Ireland to seal third place.
Weiss's men lost their last outing 5-1 against Romania, while their unbeaten run now goes back six matches since they beat Gibraltar last October. They went with a 3-4-2 formation in that match last week, but you would expect the minnows to go all-out defence this evening if they are to avoid a real rollicking against one of the world's greatest sides. Even scoring would be a positive!
With kickoff now exactly 10 minutes away, let us check out some of the pre-match thoughts from the Spain camp heading into this final pre-Euros friendly outing.
Vicente del Bosque: "Everything has gone smoothly - the young players, who will be the future of this national team, played their part and the behaviour of those that came on June 4 has been perfect. It has been a dream preparation. I do not know if tomorrow's XI will be the XI for the Euros. We want the players to get used to each other. We know the style we want to play and we'll choose the best players for that."
Del Bosque more than happy with the way things have panned out so far, then - rightly so after really hitting their groove with wins over South Korea and Bosnia of late. It is now about shifting towards a more settled starting XI, with the addition of those Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid stars in the squad, but we can surely expect La Roja to chop and change as the tournament goes on.
PREDICTION! So Spain head into their final pre-Euro friendly without defeat in any of their last 11 matches, of which they have won nine. Romania and Italy both held La Roja, but surely - surely! - Georgia have no chance of causing an upset this evening. Del Bosque saw the national side end their 44-year hoodoo when lifting the European Championship title in 2008, and he is confident that he can make it three-in-a-row this summer. They will head to France on the back of a 4-0 triumph in Madrid.
Spain kick their Euros campaign off with a meeting against Czech Republic next Monday, incidentally, before then playing Turkey on Fri 17 and Croatia four days later. You would expect the three-time winners of the competition to progress out of the group as winners and navigate their way through the expanded knockout rounds, but many said the same thing two years ago and we all know what happened then!
Both sets of players are now out onto the field of play, with the anthems set to follow. A big chance for Nolito to impress through the middle this evening, looking to build on his recent run of four goals in two games. It is a strong-looking Spain side, boasting quality throughout, but can they head to France with a high-scoring win tonight? Let's find out...
KICKOFF! Spain, sporting their traditional Red shirts and blue shorts this evening, get things up and running in the Madrid sunshine. One final chance for some of these players to impress, then, in what is expected to be a one-sided contest from the off.
Spain just doing their thing at the moment, knocking the ball from back to front in an attempt to break their opponents down. Thiago's corner is flicked on towards Ramos, but he could not quite turn it home at the back stick.
Ramos of all people with a fine cross into the box, which is just about cleared away before a red shirt could get on the end of the ball. Good tempo to Spain's play - you would back them to find a way through at this current rate.
SHOT! Fabregas with the biggest chance of the match so far, working his way into the box where he blasts the ball into the side-netting. That, combined with Ramos coming within inches of turning the ball home a little earlier, suggests La Roja will be up and running in no time.
Georgia have had one attack so far, incidentally, coming before that Fabregas shot as Jigauri's attempt was right down the middle for De Gea to gather. Not going to be all one-way traffic, with the visitors looking to get forward when they can.
Plenty of pressing from the hosts, this time via Alba down the left, but they have failed to make too many openings so far. Fabregas came closest to a breakthrough when blasting into the side-netting a few minutes ago.
Pique being heavily booed by the Madrid crowd every time he touches the ball - I wonder why?... Always a strange one, that, but the Barcelona man doesn't help himself at times when it comes to rubbing salt into opponents' wounds.
Watching another pre-Euro friendly 24 hours ago, Italy completely dominated the game against a Finland side just happy to sit back throughout with five men at the back. Not quite the case in this one, as Georgia are looking to spring the ball forward when they can.
Aduriz cannot quite control a long ball into the box, but he is calling for handball. Replays show that the referee got that call correct - almost impossible for the Georgian defender to do anything else in that situation.
Still just the one shot on goal with nearly a quarter of the match played, which incredibly was provided by the visitors. Jigauri's attempt would have been kept out by any goalkeeper in the world, however, never mind the best in the business.
The problem for Georgia is that every time they clear their lines there is no player in white to keep hold of possession. Instead it goes through to De Gea who can quickly begin Spain's latest attack. Never mind - 21 minutes played and we are still goalless.
All pretty disjointed at the moment for Spain. That is not too surprising with so many changes being made by Del Bosque, and he will not be too concerned at this stage, but La Roja need to do far more to carve their opponents open.
CHANCE! A glorious chance for Aduriz to make his case for a starting spot in the red of Spain, but he somehow nods wide from Vazquez's right-sided cross just a few yards out. The Real Madrid debutant looking lively over the past few minutes.
Georgia have crossed the halfway line on just a couple of occasions in the opening 25 minutes of this game, but it is they who have struck the only shot on target thus far. Spain have just created the best chance, though, which Aduriz nodded wide from five yards out.
Corner after corner after corner for Spain at the moment, which all inevitably go short. La Roja certainly looking like they have a few goals in them when they get the ball on the edge of the box, but credit to Georgia for standing firm with half-hour now played in Madrid.
OFF THE POST! Spain well and truly knocking on the door now. Fabregas had a long-range shot kept out down the middle - Spain's first on target all match - before Vazquez worked the ball to Thiago who let leash from a similar position. The ball looked destined to rustle the net, only to smack the post and roll to safety.
A nasty collision sees play halted for a minute or so. Spain were knocking on the door with those attacking waves prior to the stoppage, so can they find their groove once more when we get back up and running in Madrid?
A dangerous delivery from the left is well dealt with by De Gea, who read the danger and was quickly off his line to collect. Perfect gameplan from the visitors so far, really, as they soak up the pressure and hit their opponents on the break every so often.
Kashia hammers the ball high and wide from another rare Georgia attack. I say rare, but they have had the better of things over the past few moments, with Spain struggling for any real rhythm as we close in on half time.
Good cross from Juanfran, who we have not seen an awful lot of so far, but the ball is just about cleared behind for yet another Spanish corner. It is worked back over to the right flank, where Juanfran and Vazquez link up to win corner number six of the match.
Vazquez really enjoying himself on his senior bow this evening, again working just a yard of space down the right before picking out Thiago inside the box. The shot is scuffed over the bar, though, and again Georgia can regather with four minutes of the half left to play.
GOAL! SPAIN 0-1 GEORGIA (TORNIKE OKRIASHVILI)
It may only be a friendly but we are heading towards quite the shock here in Madrid. Georgia have had just a few attacks all evening, but they have the lead just before half time as Tornike Okriashvili was left to tap the ball into an empty net after Jigauri unselfishly squared it at the end of a break forward.
I said Del Bosque wouldn't be too disheartened had the scores been locked at 0-0 midway through this game, but I don't think anyone was expecting that! Georgia have played the perfect gameplan thus far, and are now just 45 minutes away from a mammoth result in Madrid.
HALF TIME: SPAIN 0-1 GEORGIA
The referee blows his whistle for half time, meaning that Georgia take a slender lead into the break. It is quite incredible, really, but full credit to the Crusaders as they have pulled off their gameplan to perfection in these opening 45 minutes at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Spain created just a couple of clear-cut chances; one of which Fabregas blasted into the side-netting and one that Aduriz could only nod wide from just a few yards out. Thiago Alcantara also blasted the ball against the upright in a first half that saw debutant Vazquez stand out down the right, but that aside it was a frustrating showing on the whole.
Georgia had three attacks of note, two of which ended with Spain barely being troubled as one shot flew over the bar and the other was casually dealt with by De Gea, who was preferred to Casillas in goal this evening. Georgia did break the deadlock against the run of play five minutes before half time, though, as Tornike Okriashvili was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net at the end of a counter-attacking move.
Could we see an alteration or two at the break? I certainly would not bet against in, particularly in Spain's case. Andres Iniesta is the obvious man to bring on, boasting the ability to break down any defence.
Spain subs: Casillas, Sergio Rico, Bellerin, Bartra, San Jose, Azpilicueta, Bruno, Koke, Iniesta, Silva, Morata, Pedro
RESTART! We are back up and running in Madrid, where Spain have indeed made some changes at the break. San Jose, Koke, Bellerin and Iniesta are on for Ramos, Alcantara, Juanfran and Fabregas.
CLOSE! So will those half-time changes make any difference? It has been all Spain since the restart, as expected, with Iniesta coming close to making an early difference by sending a long-range shot just a yard wide of the goal frame.
Georgia having to do so much defending at the moment but, that Iniesta drive aside, they have no looked too troubled in the grand scheme of things. A free kick into the box ends in chaos as Busquets clatters into an opposition player and remains down in some pain.
A real horror clash of heads between Revishvili and Busquets, so no surprise to see both men stay down to receive some treatment. You would expect both to be fine to continue in a minute or two, unless of course they have suffered from concussion.
It looks like both players may well have to leave the field for good, in fact. Busquets is receiving treatment still and may just rejoin us, but Revishvili came out second best and is trudging towards the tunnel to be replaced.
GEORGIA SUB! Revishvili does indeed leave the field of play, sporting a blood-stained headband, to be replaced by Roin Kvaskhvadze for the remainder. Revishvili, rather incredibly, has had only one or two saves to make.
We are back underway now, with Busquets now back on the pitch. The defensive midfielder needed a few staples to hold the gash together, so whether he lasts the duration remains to be seen at the moment. Expect plenty of added time at the end.
Spain work the ball well again, this time focusing on the right flank, but Nolito's poor touch allows the visitors to once again clear without breaking into a sweat. La Roja desperately trying to get a foothold in the game, with just half-hour to play.
YELLOW CARD! Solomon Kverkvelia is the first player to enter the referee's book following a challenge in the Spain half. The free kick comes into the box but comes to nothing in the end - pretty much summing up La Roja's efforts so far.
Nine white shirts camped around the opposition box now, which is making this an incredibly frustrating night for home supporters. Barely any chances created all match up to this point, and that does not look like changing on the basis of the past 10 minutes.
CLOSE! A Georgia mistake is pounced on by Nolito, who exchanges passes with Iniesta and then lets leash from 25 yards out. The shot ended inches wide of the target - the closest Spain have come to scoring all half.
Spain not giving up hope of scoring a goal or two yet, and they are beginning to find just a few more gaps in the final third. The ball is worked out to the left, but the subsequent cross ends up going over the bar without any sort of touch.
Nolito is pouncing on every loose ball at the moment, laying it off for Iniesta who scuffs his shot completely. Spain doing everything but score at the moment, but if they do find a way through it is unlikely to be one of their trademark goals.
SAVE! Silva, on a few minutes ago for Vazquez, sends a fine ball over the top for Alba to take on first time with his head, but it was a simple stop in the end. Kvaskhvadze followed that up with another simple save, this time to deny Nolito who jigged his way into the box.
GEORGIA SUBS! The Crusaders make a double change, as Giorgi Chanturia and Giorgi Kvilitaia both enter the fray with 16 minutes - plus five or six added on - left to play. Pique has just flicked a corner well wide of the target.
Really good play by Spain, but the ball just will not go in the net. A succession of passes inside the box ends with a shot finally coming in, only to be blocked away superbly by an opposition defender. Georgia giving their absolute all, but do they have enough in the tank?
SPAIN SUB! Busquets is taken off, perhaps because of that earlier injury, to be replaced by Pedro. The Chelsea man will look to add a bit of width in the remaining 12 minutes, with Del Bosque frantically pointing to the far side of the pitch.
Georgia eating up more and more time now, with certain players staying down complaining of cramp. Zurab Tsiskaridze has just been brought on for Giorgi Aburjania, as Spain win what feels like their 100th corner of the contest thus far.
YELLOW CARD! San Jose earns himself a booking, which delights Vladimir Weiss as his side move another few seconds closer to an historic win. Spain looked rampant about 10 minutes ago, but they have struggled with momentum again since making changes.
Another Georgia player goes to ground and stays down, either genuinely struggling after a challenge or cynically trying to run down the clock. Either way, we will surely have six or seven minutes added on here, even if it is 'just' a friendly.
GEORGIA SUB! Alexander Kobakhidze enters the pitch to plenty of jeers as the home natives become restless. Giorgi Navalovski is the man to depart with less than five minutes to go in Madrid. Can Georgia do it?!
A big call for the referee, this, as Silva is shoved off the ball inside the opposition box. Lobjanidze, one of just a handful of Georgia players still on the pitch since the start, did just about enough to hold off the Man City star without forcing the ref to point to the spot.
CLOSE! A familiar sight as Pique remains high up the pitch. We have seen it countless times for his club side, and he so nearly makes a difference when picked out seven yards from goal, only to send his header the wrong side of the far post.
We are two minutes into seven added on at the end of this second half in Madrid, and it is a similar story - Spain pressing high up the pitch but just simply unable to create any sort of opening for their forward players.
Georgia asking questions of their own now, searching for the most unlikely of second goals. That has left gaps open at the back, though, so they must surely now stick rather than twisting in the remaining three minutes.
Spain get in behind the opposition defence on the right, but the ball to the back post is simply helped on by Nolito into the welcoming hands of Georgia's under-worked substitute keeper. We are now just 60 seconds away from full time in Madrid.
FULL TIME: SPAIN 0-1 GEORGIA
The full-time whistle sounds at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez to signal scenes of joy on the touchline. This may only be a friendly, but for those Georgia players this is a result of a lifetime for many as they have not only held Spain - back-to-back European champions Spain - but snatched the most unlikely of victories in Madrid.
On another night La Roja could well have had four or five, but truth be told they did not really do enough in the end against a packed Georgian defence. Vicente del Bosque will just be happy that this is out of the system prior to that opening group-stage fixture against the Czech Republic, which is now just six days away.
Well that concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events in Madrid, but why not check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. We will be back tomorrow with coverage from Portugal's final pre-Euros fixture, where they will be hoping to avoid a slip-up of their own. See you then!
