TBILISI, Georgia – In a stunning turn of events, Georgia secured a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 in their first major tournament appearance by defeating Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday. This victory marks the biggest upset in European Championship history, as Georgia, ranked 74th in the FIFA rankings, took down sixth-ranked Portugal in a thrilling match.
Led by an early goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and a penalty from Georges Mikautadze, Georgia’s win over Portugal has become a historic moment for the country since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite facing a mostly second-string Portugal team, Georgia’s journey to this success was not easy, having to navigate through the UEFA Nations League tournament and a playoff victory over Greece to reach the Euro stage.
Coach Willy Sagnol, a former Bayern Munich and France defender, guided Georgia to a third-place finish in Group F, setting up a challenging last-16 showdown with three-time Euro winners Spain. Additionally, Georgia’s win has set up exciting matchups for the round of 16, with England facing Slovakia, Romania taking on the Netherlands, and Portugal going head-to-head against Slovenia. Hungary narrowly missed out on advancing in the tournament.
The tournament debutants wasted no time taking the lead against Portugal, with Kvaratskhelia scoring in the second minute after a defensive error by Portugal. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s efforts to spark a comeback, Georgia’s solid defense and counterattacking strategy proved to be too much for Portugal to handle. Mikautadze’s penalty sealed the victory, making him the top scorer of Euro 2024 with three goals.
As the final whistle blew, Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s late saves ensured Portugal was kept at bay, allowing Georgia’s squad and coaching staff to celebrate their historic win in front of their passionate fans. The match will go down in history as one of the greatest upsets in European Championship history.
In conclusion, Georgia’s triumph over Portugal in Euro 2024 will be remembered as a monumental moment for the country’s footballing history, showcasing the resilience and determination of a team that defied the odds against a powerhouse like Portugal.