Georgia achieves what was hardly thought possible: the surprise guest at the European Championship also advances to the knockout round thanks to a 2:0 victory against Portugal, who have already qualified for the round of 16.
26.06.2024, 23:01
26.06.2024, 23:02
SDA
With the right attitude, mountains can be moved or a difference of 68 places in the world rankings can be forgotten. Georgia, ranked 74th in the FIFA rankings, will provide a spectacle at their first final tournament. With huge commitment and exceptional players up front and at the back, the team led by former French international Willy Sagnol brought down Portugal's B selection, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
The scenario in Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke 04 usually creates drama, was perfect for Georgia. With less than 90 seconds played, Antonio Silva misplaced a pass, which Georges Mikautadze and goalscorer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia exploited to make it 1-0. In the 57th minute, the Georgians doubled their lead with a penalty, which the Schwyz referee Sandro Schärer rightly awarded after video referee Fedayi San's advice. Mikautadze, who was born in Lyon, France, became the first player to score his third goal at this tournament.
Alongside Napoli's outstanding superstar Kwarazchelia and FC Metz goal-getter Mikautadze, the Georgian team's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves special mention. The keeper from Valencia FC also shone against Portugal, preventing a goal on several occasions when the tight defense of the underdogs allowed the Portuguese to score.
Just how little Portugal's understudy - also highly-rated - had expected this resistance was shown by the reaction of the players, who appeared increasingly frustrated. Ronaldo was shown a yellow card for complaining in the first half. Schärer had more to do and more tricky decisions to make than the starting position in this group and the actually clearly distributed roles in this match would have suggested.
While Portugal, beaten for the first time under national coach Roberto Martinez, were taken by surprise, Georgia were obviously prepared for the coup. They fought for every meter at the back and, with the ball at their feet, consistently sought to make rapid advances in front of the Portuguese goal. The success was total and will be rewarded with a place in the round of 16 against Spain. The victims of the Georgian exploit are Hungary, who would otherwise have progressed to the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams in the group.
Telegram and table:
Georgia - Portugal 2:0 (1:0)
Gelsenkirchen. - 49'616 spectators. - SR Schärer (SUI). - Goals: 2. Kvaratskhelia 1:0. 57. Mikautadze 2:0.
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Gwelesiani (76. Kwerkvelia), Kashia, Lochoshvili (57. Zitaishvili), Dvali; Chakvetadze (81. Mekhabishvili), Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia (81. Davitashvili).
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Danilo, Silva (66. Semedo), Inacio; Neto (75. Diogo Jota), Palhinha (46. Palhinha), Neves (75. Matheus); Conceiçao, Ronaldo (66. Ramos), João Felix.
Comments: Georgia complete. Portugal without Rafael Leão (suspended). Cautions: 28 for Ronaldo. 44th Neto. 53rd Neves. 85th Mekwabishvili.
Ranking: 1. Portugal 3/6 (5:3). 2. Turkey 3/6 (5:5). 3. Georgia 3/4 (4:4). 4. Czech Republic 3/1 (3:5).
