EM - "Like lions": Georgia celebrates historic victory
The Georgian substitutes, trainer, and staff stormed onto the field and celebrated with their completely exhausted teammates before the enthusiastic home crowd the historic victory. Delighted, trainer Willy Sagnol congratulated his proud heroes, who as tournament newcomers had already reached the Europa Championship's Round of 16 against Portugal on a Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen.
"I am very happy today. We made it", said the player of the match and top scorer Chwischa Kwaratschelia after the surprising 2:0 (1:0) against Portugal. "I told everyone we could do it. We are a top team and can fight like lions against any opponent."
Kwaratschelia (2nd minute) and Georges Mikautadze (57/penalty) became football heroes in their homeland. As third place in Group F, Georgia faces Spain in the Round of 16 on a Sunday in Cologne.
For Georgia, it was the first victory at an EM. "I'm especially happy because they deserve it", said the German record-national player Lothar Matthäus to MagentaTV. Portugal had already been confirmed as group winners before the game. In the Round of 16, the Portuguese play against Slovenia on a Monday in Frankfurt am Main.
Georgia gets dream start
From Portugal's starting eleven from the 3:0 against Turkey four days earlier, only goalkeeper Diogo Costa, EM record player Ronaldo, and midfielder João Palhinha were in the starting lineup. That was noticeable. The team changed eight positions and started disastrously.
Mikautadze played Kwaratschelia free with a precise pass, and the Georgian team's star from SSC Napoli scored after 91 seconds for the 1:0. Kneeling, the 23-year-old let himself be celebrated by the Georgian home crowd. In front of the trainer's bench, the staff embraced the former Bayern footballer Sagnol.
With the lead in the back, the Georgians retreated and tried to quickly switch after winning the ball. Portugal took control of the midfield, but found few options against the well-sorted five-defender defensive line of the opponent. The first scoring chance fell to Ronaldo, who shot powerfully but inaccurately, unable to seriously challenge the well-positioned Giorgi Mamardaschwili in the Georgian goal.
Kwaratschelia fulfills a dream
João Félix and Ronaldo had other opportunities for the favorite. Félix missed the mark, and Ronaldo's shot was blocked at the last moment. On the Georgian side, they were dangerous in transition moments. The very agile Kwaratschelia, who gave his best performance of the tournament, could not be contained by the Portuguese. The highly talented offensive player reached the goal with the first kick. "I have always dreamed of playing against Cristiano Ronaldo", Kwaratschelia had said before the game.
The two players with the number seven remained the main actors even after the break. First, a botched attempt from Ronaldo hit the crossbar, then Kwaratschelia missed his second goal by not hitting the ball right.
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Stürmer Mikautadze improved from the penalty spot. António Silva brought Luka Lotschoshwili to the ground in the box, according to the video images, Swiss referee Sandro Schärer accordingly called for a penalty. For the 23-year-old Mikautadze, it was already the third goal at this EM - the second from a penalty.
Ronaldo's turn was next. Upon being substituted, the five-time Champions League winner made no secret of his frustration. Visibly displeased, he left the pitch. His next opportunity to score at his sixth European Championship will be in the knockout stage.
Table standings of the group stages Information about the match Information about the Georgian team Information about the Portuguese team
- Georgian midfielder Mikautadze's precise pass set up Kwaratschelia for an early goal against Portugal, putting Georgia in the lead.
- Even with EM record player Ronaldo and goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the lineup, Portugal struggled against Georgia's well-organized defense.
- As the tournament newcomers, Georgia secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the European Championship, facing Spain on a Sunday in Cologne.
- Kwaratschelia, Georgia's star player at SSC Napoli, delivered a standout performance, causing difficulties for the Portuguese defense.
- Lothar Matthäus, the German record-national player, praised Georgia's achievements, saying they deserve their historic victory against Portugal.
- In the same group, Portugal secured first place and advanced to face Slovenia in the Round of 16 on a Monday in Frankfurt am Main.
- The winner of the Group F match between Spain and Georgia will face the runner-up of Group E, which features Switzerland, Hungary, and France, in the quarterfinals.
- Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardaschwili put up a strong performance, delivering crucial saves and keeping Portugal at bay.
- With the crushing defeat, Ronaldo's dream of securing his sixth European Championship title with Portugal took a hit, as they began their knockout stage campaign against an opponent to be determined.
