Georgia shocked Portugal with a 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen, securing their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 in their debut major tournament. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring just 93 seconds into the match, taking advantage of a mistake from Antonio Silva. Georges Mikautadze doubled Georgia’s lead with a penalty in the second half after another error from Silva. Despite making eight changes, Portugal had already secured qualification as the winners of Group F, while Georgia advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Spain in the last 16.
After losses to Turkey and a draw with Czech Republic, Georgia needed a win to avoid elimination. Their strong defensive performance stifled Portugal’s attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo finding limited opportunities to score. Mikautadze’s penalty further secured Georgia’s victory, with the Metz forward becoming the leading scorer of the tournament with three goals. Portugal struggled to break down Georgia’s defense, only creating chances in added time. Despite the loss, Portugal will regroup with key players returning for the knockout stages.
Georgia’s dream start against Portugal showcased their defensive solidity and dangerous counter-attacks. Coach Willy Sagnol’s tactics paid off, with his team successfully absorbing pressure and capitalizing on their chances. Kvaratskhelia was a standout player, not only scoring but also providing a constant threat in attack. With a solid game plan in place, Georgia looks to carry their momentum into the match against Spain. Portugal, having already secured qualification, will look to bounce back in the knockout stages with key players rested for the game against Slovenia.
Kvaratskhelia’s performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, with his goal and constant threat on the field. Georgia’s overall team effort was impressive, with Mamardashvili, Gvelesiani, and Mikautadze also receiving high ratings for their contributions. Portugal, on the other hand, struggled to break down Georgia’s defense, with Silva among those responsible for the mistakes that led to Georgia’s goals. Despite late chances, Portugal was unable to overcome Georgia’s resilience.
In the match highlights, Kvaratskhelia’s early goal set the tone for Georgia’s victory, with Mikautadze’s penalty sealing the win. Portugal created some chances in added time but was unable to find the back of the net. Key stats indicate that TNT Sports offers premium live sports rights, including the Premier League, UEFA competitions, rugby, cricket, UFC, boxing, and WWE. Fans in the UK can enjoy TNT Sports through discovery+ and various other platforms such as BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Georgia’s historic victory over Portugal adds to the excitement of Euro 2024, setting the stage for an intriguing knockout stage as both teams look to make an impact.
