June 26, (THEWILL) – Georgia achieved a historic 2-0 victory over Portugal at the Euro 2024, punching their ticket into the tournament’s knockout stages. The win marks Georgia’s first-ever major tournament victory as an independent nation, propelling them into the last 16 against all odds.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for Georgia within two minutes, capitalising on a misplaced pass from Antonio Silva. Georges Mikautadze provided the assist, setting the tone for an unforgettable match. Despite Portugal’s attempts to equalise, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Palhinha testing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georgia’s defence held firm.
The second half saw Georgia extend their lead when VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Luka Lochoshvili. Mikautadze confidently converted the spot-kick, scoring his third goal of the tournament and effectively sealing the victory for his team. Portugal’s attempts to mount a comeback proved futile against Georgia’s resolute defence and Mamardashvili’s outstanding performance in between the sticks.
This remarkable upset has sent shockwaves through the tournament, with Georgia—the lowest-ranked nation in Euro 2024—now set to face Spain in the round of 16. The result is a testament to the team’s determination and tactical acumen under coach Willy Sagnol, who has led them to an 18-match unbeaten streak when scoring first.
For Portugal, the defeat serves as a wake-up call ahead of their last-16 clash with Slovenia. Manager Roberto Martinez will need to reassess his strategy after this unexpected setback, despite having already qualified as Group F winners.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
