Newcomers Georgia beat Portugal 2-0 to qualify for Euro 2024

Georgia stunned former champions Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the round of 16 at Euro 2024, their first-ever major tournament.

The match was settled by an early strike from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and a penalty from Georges Mikautadze.

This victory, although against a largely secondary Portugal and already qualified for the next round, represents Georgia’s best result.

This was since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

But there was nothing undeserved about the way former Bayern Munich and France defender Willy Sagnol and his team secured third place in Group F of the tournament.

It was a victory that now set them up for a round of 16 clash against three-time Euro winners Spain.

Georgia’s victory also means England will face Slovakia, Romania will face the Netherlands and Portugal will face Slovenia in the round of 16.

Hungary, which was in contention for a place in the next round, was eliminated.

The tournament debutants took the lead in the second minute when Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli winger, ran away after a careless pass from Antonio Silva.

He then sent a low strike past Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo – one of only three Portugal starters who also featured in their 3-0 win over Turkey on Saturday – stretched and tensed with every ball.

This was as he sought to become the oldest goalscorer in a Euro tournament at the age of 39.

But Georgia defended as if their lives depended on it and looked to catch Portugal at the break.

In the 53rd minute, Silva compounded his previous error by committing a foul in the penalty area, leading to a penalty being awarded after a VAR check.

Mikautadze, who had provided the pass for Kvaratskhelia to open the scoring early on, headed his spot-kick past Costa, making him the top scorer at Euro 2024 so far with three goals.

Ronaldo was booked in the first half for arguing and showed frustration when he was substituted after the break, kicking a water bottle.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made late saves to keep Portugal at bay in the final minutes.

At full time, Georgia’s team and coaching staff sprinted onto the field to celebrate in front of thousands of fans.

Reuters/NAN