World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers: Georgia Complete Stunning Overtime Comeback Over Spain

Down 22 points with under seven minutes left in the third quarter, Georgia looked all but finished. Instead, the hosts produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of this qualifying window, clawing all the way back to force overtime and finally beating Spain 91-89 at the Otar Korkia and Nodar Jorjikia Tbilisi Sports Palace on July 5, 2026. Spain had controlled almost the entire game, at one point extending a lead from eight points to 20 in a matter of minutes, but Georgia's rally gathered steam through the fourth quarter until the scores were finally level at 81-81 with just over a minute left in regulation. Neither side could pull away in the extra period until Jaime Pradilla (202-F/C-2001)'s free throw briefly tied it again, and Alvaro Cardenas (185-PG-2002, college: Boise St.)'s potential game-winning three for Spain rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing the comeback.
Tornike Shengelia (206-PF-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) was sensational throughout, finishing with 37 points, 10 rebounds and four steals on efficient shooting, including two thunderous third-quarter dunks that helped spark the turnaround. Marcquise Reed (190-SG-1995, college: Clemson) was right there with him, adding 32 points and seven assists and delivering an eight-point burst in the fourth quarter that kept Georgia within reach before the final push. Willy Hernangomez (210-C-1994) led Spain with 19 points and eight rebounds, but the visitors couldn't hold on after building one of the largest leads squandered all window.