Soccer - 2:0 against Portugal's B team: Georgia reaches the last 16 of the European Championships
The outsider team from Georgia reached the Round of 16 at the European Championship for the first time with a historic win against Portugal's B-team. Trainer Willy Sagnol's squad defeated the European champion from 2016, which included world star Cristiano Ronaldo, with a courageous performance, securing a 2:0 (1:0) victory on a Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen.
Chwischa Kwaratschelia (2nd minute) and Georges Mikautadze (57/penalty) became football heroes in their homeland with their goals. As the third team from Group F, Georgia will face Spain on Sunday in Cologne.
For Georgia, it was their first win at the European Championship. Portugal had already been confirmed as group winners before the match. In the Round of 16, the Portuguese team will play against Slovenia on Monday in Frankfurt am Main.
Georgia's dream start
From Portugal's starting lineup from their 3:0 win against Turkey four days prior, only goalkeeper Diogo Costa, EM record-holder Ronaldo, and midfielder João Palhinha were present in the initial formation. This was noticeable. The team with eight position changes started the game poorly.
Mikautadze played Kwaratschelia free with a precise pass, and the star player from SSC Napoli scored the 1:0 just 91 seconds into the game. Kneeling, the 23-year-old let himself be celebrated by the Georgian fanbase. The trainers congratulated Sagnol, the former Bayern Munich player, at the sideline.
With the lead in their backs, the Georgians retreated and tried to quickly switch after winning the ball. Portugal took control of the midfield, but found little room against the well-organized five-man defensive line of the opposition. The first scoring opportunity fell to Ronaldo, who shot powerfully but inaccurately, failing to challenge the well-positioned Giorgi Mamardaschwili in the Georgian goal.
Kwaratschelia fulfills his dream
João Félix and Ronaldo had further 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 agile Kwaratschelia, who gave his best performance of the tournament, couldn't be contained by the Portuguese. The highly talented offensive player reached the goal already with the kickoff. "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 halftime break. Ronaldo had a failed attempt on goal, and Kwaratschelia missed his second goal due to a poor shot.
Ronaldo reacts angrily
Striker Mikautadze made it from the penalty spot. António Silva had brought down Luka Lotschoshwili in the penalty area, according to video evidence, and Swiss referee Sandro Schärer correctly called for a penalty. For the 23-year-old Mikautadze, it was already his third goal at the European Championship - his second from a penalty.
For Ronaldo, it was soon time to leave. Upon being substituted, the five-time Champions League winner made no secret of his frustration. Unhappy, he left the pitch. His next opportunity to score at his sixth European Championship will be in the Round of 16.
Table standings of the group stage Information about the Georgian team Information about the Portuguese team
- Despite Portugal's confirmation as group winners, Georgia will still face them in Group F, with Spain as their opponent in the upcoming match on Sunday in Cologne.
- Willy Sagnol, the Georgian squad's trainer, led his team to a historic 2:0 victory against Portugal's B-team, which included world superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
- The Georgian team showcased a courageous performance in their Round of 16 debut at the European Championship, securing a win against the European champion from 2016.
- Georgia made their first win at the European Championship against a Portuguese team that had mostly replaced their starting lineup from their previous 3:0 win against Turkey.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese team's star player and EM record-holder, failed to challenge Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardaschwili in the team's disappointing performance.
- Chwischa Kwaratschelia scored the opening goal for Georgia only 91 seconds into the game, fulfilling his dream of playing against the legendary Ronaldo.
- After the halftime break, both Ronaldo and Kwaratschelia continued to be the main actors, but with little success, as Portugal struggled to break through Georgia's well-organized defensive line.
- Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze made it from the penalty spot, adding another goal to his tally at the European Championship, while Ronaldo reacted angrily upon being substituted, expressed his frustration, and vowed to score again in the Round of 16 in Frankfurt am Main against Slovenia.
