Sensation perfect Georgia beats Portugal and advances to the knockout phase

Jan Arnet

26.6.2024

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia puts Georgia on the road to victory early on.
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Georgia achieves what was scarcely thought possible: the surprise visitors to the European Championship also advance to the knockout round thanks to their 2:0 victory against Portugal, who have already qualified for the round of 16.

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.

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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.

Mamardashvili lifts Georgia further

In addition to Napoli's outstanding superstar Kvaratskhelia and FC Metz goal-getter Mikautadze, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili stood out from the Georgian team. The keeper from Valencia FC also shone against Portugal, preventing a goal on several occasions when the underdogs' tight defense allowed the Portuguese to score.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is the man of the evening.
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The reaction of the players, who appeared increasingly frustrated, showed just how little Portugal's understudy - also highly-rated - had expected this resistance. 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 were Hungary, who would otherwise have progressed to the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams in the group.

The Georgians will face Spain in the round of 16. Portugal will now face Slovenia.

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. 44. Neto. 53. Neves. 85. Mekwabishvili.