Georgia recorded the biggest win in their history as they defeated Portugal with a deserved 2-0 victory to progress to the last 16 of Euro 2024.
MAN OF THE MATCH – HVICHA KVARATSKHELIA (GEORGIA)
Not only did he score his goal superbly, but the Napoli forward was a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes and perhaps should have doubled his tally in the second half when the ball fell to him from 12 yards. It wasn’t just his goal threat that caused problems, the 23-year-old held up the ball superbly, giving the side moments of respite from Portugal’s pressure and at one point dribbled around a fourth defender before winning a free-kick.
PLAYER RATINGS
Georgia: Mamardashvili 8, Gvelesiani 8, Kashia 8, Dvali 7, Lochoshvili 7, Chakvetadze 8, Kochorashvili 7, Kiteishvili 6, Kakabdaze 7, Mikautadze 8, Kvarachelia 9*. Substitutions: Tsitaishvili 6, Kvirkvelia 5, Mekvabishvili 5, Davitashvili 6.
Portugal: Costa 5, Pereira 6, Silva 4, Inasio 5, Dalot 6, Palhinha 7, Neves 6, Neto 5, Conceicao 6, Felix 6, Ronaldo 5. Subs: Neves 4, Ramos 5, Semedo 5, Jota 6, Nunes 5.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
90+3′ – BEST CHANCE OF THE HALF TIME FOR PORTUGAL: Conceicao shoots just over the goal. Jota tries to put it in, but it goes just wide of the far post. I’m not sure how it stayed out.
57′ – GOAL! GEORGIA 2-0 PORTUGAL: (Mikautadze) Mikautadze steps up to the plate and coolly takes the penalty to Kosta’s left. The goalkeeper goes to the right side, but is well drawn into the corner.
55′ – PENALTY FOR GEORGIA: The referee is told to go check Silva’s challenge on Lochoshvili. The Portuguese defender makes slight contact with a Georgia player and the referee points to the spot.
52′ – BIG CHANCE FOR GEORGIA: The ball is pulled towards Mikautadze, who misses it, but it falls perfectly to Kvaratshelia in the center of the box, but he twists his lines and hits it into the arms of Costa.
2′ – GOAL! GEORGIA 1-0 PORTUGAL: (Kvaratsheilia) A sloppy pass from Silva gives Georgia the ball and Kvaratsheilia runs through before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.