Now in the round of 16
Georgia v Portugal LIVE from 9pm
Sensation at the EURO! Georgia defeated Portugal's star team led by Cristiano Ronaldo 2:0 on Wednesday evening to reach the round of 16 in a complete surprise. Portugal had already been crowned Group F winners.
Georgia extended their European Championship debut with a 2:0 victory over Portugal. The 74th-ranked team in the world advanced to the round of 16 as third in the group behind Portugal and Turkey after the surprising victory on Wednesday. Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (2nd) and Georges Mikautadze (57th/penalty) gave Georgia a knockout duel with Spain with their goals. Despite their dominance, Portugal's B team failed to make an impact. Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues now face Slovenia.
Georgia's dream start
The underdogs, who had qualified for the Germany finals via the Nations League play-off in the last round, were able to celebrate a lightning start in Gelsenkirchen. After a mistake by Antonio Silva, Mikautadze launched the perfect counter-attack and Kvaratskhelia scored precisely into the far corner (2'). After that, the 2016 European champions played almost exclusively, with eleven shots up to half-time alone not yielding any results.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez had left only goalkeeper Diogo Costa and midfielder Joao Palhinha in the starting eleven after securing group victory ahead of time. However, there were not many clear-cut opportunities to score against the Georgian wall of men. Narrow misses from Francisco Conceicao (28) and Joao Felix (30) were evidence of the superiority, while Gvelesiani intervened at the last moment for a rare Ronaldo finish (35). A pinball that landed at Ronaldo's feet was also blocked by a back (46).
The "Crusaders" had to work hard, but followed on seamlessly from their passionate performances against Turkey (1:3) and the Czech Republic (1:1). Once again, Giorgi Mamaradashvili was a reliable back-up. However, the equalizer seemed only a matter of time, but then Antonio Silva stepped on the foot of former WAC player Luka Lochoshvili in the penalty area. After VAR intervention, Mikautadze converted the penalty with ease (57'). The FC Metz striker now leads the European Championship scoring charts with three goals.
Kiteishvili's first European Championship appearance
Otar Kiteishvili was in the starting eleven for his first European Championship appearance. The creative player from Sturm Graz had previously had to miss out due to injury and this time played over 90 minutes for his home country - traditionally in a more defensive role in central midfield. Sandro Altunashvili of WAC watched the passionately fought victory from the substitutes' bench.
Ronaldo, who is still waiting for his first European Championship goal at this final tournament, gesticulated with increasing annoyance. The robustly defended superstar repeatedly demanded a penalty, which he did not get. It was over after 65 minutes. Even substitutes Diogo Jota and Goncalo Ramos were no match for the exuberantly celebrating Georgians.
Georgia - Portugal 2:0 (1:0)
Gelsenkirchen, SR Schärer/SUI
Goals: 1:0 (2.) Kvaratskhelia, 2:0 (57.) Mikautadze
Yellow cards: Mekvabishvili or Ronaldo, Neto
Georgia: Mamardashvili - Kakabadze, Gvelesiani (76. Kvirkvelia), Kashia, Lochoshvili (63. Tsitaishvili), Dvali - Chakvetadze (81. Mekvabishvili), Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili - Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia (81. Davitashvili)
Portugal: Costa - Dalot, Pereira, Silva (66. Semedo), Inacio - Neto (75. Jota), Palhinha (46. R. Neves), J. Neves (Nunes) - Conceicao, Ronaldo (66. Ramos), Felix
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