Within the largest shock (by the FIFA world rankings) of Euro 2024 thus far, Georgia defeated Portugal 2-0 to safe a spot within the knockout phases in what’s their main match debut.
Georgia, ranked 74, took benefit of Roberto Martinez rotating a Portugal workforce (ranked sixth) who had already certified high of Group F, scoring within the second minute by means of the immensely gifted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia earlier than Georges Mikautadze transformed a second-half penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo began the sport however his pursuit of turning into the oldest participant ever to attain at a Euros — he’s 39 — goes on and he was substituted on 66 minutes with solely a reserving to point out for his efforts.
Portugal will face Slovenia within the spherical of 16 on Monday night in Frankfurt and whoever emerges from that tie faces the winner of France v Belgium within the quarter-finals.
Georgia’s beautiful victory means they end third behind Turkey and their reward is a match in opposition to Spain on Sunday in Cologne. Will probably be a tough prospect arising in opposition to the one workforce within the competitors with a 100 per cent successful document, however they may again themselves to trigger one other upset.
Right here, our writers analyse the important thing factors from the sport…
When did Georgia get good at soccer?
Georgia reached Euro 2024 — their first-ever look at a serious match — after beating Greece in a playoff penalty shootout on the finish of March. They’d really completed fourth of their Euro qualifying group, forward of solely Cyprus, however reached the playoffs by way of the Nations League route topping Group C4.
After their historic qualification for Euro 2024, Georgia supervisor Willy Sagnol informed The Athletic they had been going “to play with ambition” and the way his gamers stated they “didn’t need to go to Germany for procuring or tourism.”
Of their three group matches, they definitely did that, enjoying with bravery and attacking aptitude — the other of Steve Clarke’s destructive strategy with Scotland, who tamely exited the competitors.
Georgia performed out a thriller in opposition to Turkey of their opening match, and got here near beating the Czech Republic earlier than tonight’s shock victory over Portugal, mixing a dogged dedication with fast counters and dashes of aptitude.
Soccer is rising in recognition in Georgia, the place emphasis is positioned on creating and nurturing younger expertise. They hosted the Below-19s Euros in 2017 after which co-hosted the Below-21 Euros with Romania final 12 months.
In addition to Kvaratskhelia, their different standout gamers thus far have been extremely rated Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili — described by Sagnol as probably the greatest in Europe — and ahead Georges Mikautadze, who scored his facet’s second from the penalty spot. He was signed by Ajax final summer season for £13million ($16.4m) however was then loaned again to Metz.
Sagnol, who has been the Georgia supervisor for 3 years, stated he was ready to attract on his experiences of enjoying in large tournaments with France to assist his gamers.
He stated: “I normally attempt to keep calm even when it will get nerve-racking. I feel that’s vital in Georgia when there are loads of feelings.”
Tom Burrows
Why was Ronaldo so annoyed?
There should have been occasions when Cristiano Ronaldo puzzled what he was doing on the market.
Portugal had been already by means of to the knockout stage, and most of his team-mates got the evening off to recharge their batteries, however there he was, aged 39, getting wound up, choosing up a yellow card for dissent and risking a crimson card when he yelled on the fourth official on his approach off the pitch at half-time.
His primary grievance stemmed from the referee’s refusal to award Portugal a penalty when his shirt was tugged within the twenty fifth minute. Frustration was comprehensible, nevertheless it consumed him for the remainder of the sport — proper till he was substituted halfway by means of the second half, nonetheless with out a objective in three appearances at Euro 2024. Twelve pictures, no objectives.
Leaving the pitch, he shook the hand of Goncalo Ramos, who changed him, and coach supervisor Roberto Martinez. However he regarded furious. He took his frustration out on a water bottle, kicking it at a plastic crate, earlier than settling down on the bench, his blood boiling.
Oliver Kay
How good is Kvaratskhelia?
On the coronary heart of Georgia’s finest play was their talisman and captain, Kvaratskhelia, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and a possible transfer away from Napoli this summer season.
Georgia supervisor Willy Sagnol informed The Athletic how they shifted Kvaratskhelia to a extra central place two years in the past to attempt to get him on the ball as a lot as doable. He stated: “For me, it was key to have this sort of participant in an important a part of the pitch as a result of I don’t have loads of gamers like him.”
Georgia’s shock early lead in opposition to Portugal got here after he was put by means of on objective by Mikautadze, sprinted clear and flashed a pointy left-foot end throughout goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
He then had a wonderful alternative to double Georgia’s lead 5 minutes into the second half however scuffed his shot.
Kvaratskhelia’s tireless working, scampering round together with his socks rolled down, and never-say-die angle helped encourage his facet to their greatest-ever victory.
Tom Burrows
Is Portugal’s second string as sturdy because it seems to be?
Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Palhinha and Diogo Costa had been the one surviving members of Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey to start out their closing group sport in opposition to Georgia. Possibly head coach Roberto Martinez was impressed by Luis de la Fuente who made 10 modifications for Spain’s 1-0 win in opposition to Albania. De la Fuente’s gamble labored however, aside from a few people, Portugal struggled.
That was apparent within the second minute when 20-year-old centre-back Antonio Silva hesitated on the ball and handed it backwards with out trying which immediately led to Kvaratskhelia scoring. When Silva conceded a penalty within the second half, you would not assist however really feel he had been unfairly thrown in on the deep finish.
Wolverhampton Wanderers followers are used to watching Pedro Neto rampage down the precise wing and reduce inside onto his left foot for enjoyable, however he was used as a left wing-back by Martinez. He nonetheless regarded efficient in flashes nevertheless it was a waste of his skills.
Portugal won’t be panicking although. They’d already certified as group winners and this was a free hit. Joao Felix endured an underwhelming season with Barcelona however he was a shiny spark right here. There was one second simply earlier than half-time when Felix and Francisco Conceicao carved by means of Georgia’s defence with a devilish assortment of passes and slick tips.
Conceicao triggered issues all through together with his dribbling and received a number of free kicks in harmful positions. This won’t have been the right end result for Martinez however he now has a significantly better understanding of which fringe gamers can step up and contribute within the latter phases of the match.
Watching Neto, Felix and Conceicao come off the bench can be a daunting prospect for each workforce.
Jay Harris
Goalkeeper of the match thus far?
How about Giorgi Mamardashvili? Going into tonight’s sport, he had conceded 4 objectives at Euro 2024 — however that was from 20 pictures on track. The post-shot anticipated objectives (PSxG) whole for these 20 pictures was 7.0. In different phrases, his shot-stopping may very well be described because the distinction between conceding seven objectives and three.
He was glorious as soon as extra in opposition to Portugal. He wasn’t overworked, however there was a spectacular save from Diogo Dalot early within the second half and, extra typically, there was an air of confidence and competence in every part he did — which included scrambling to his left to forestall a Pedro Neto nook from creeping contained in the close to put up in first-half stoppage time.
In one other period, an excellent goalkeeper from a less-fancied nation like Georgia may seem to be a traditional match discovery. However Mamardashvili, 23, has spent the previous three seasons at Valencia, having caught their eye whereas enjoying within the Europa League for Locomotive Tbilisi. He’s extensively recognised as one among Europe’s finest younger goalkeepers, however he has actually shone in Germany.
Oliver Kay
Beneficial studying
(Picture: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Photographs)