Georgia produced one of the most stunning results in European Championship history as they beat Portugal 2-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
The eastern European nation with a population of four million, playing in a major tournament for the first time, registered the biggest win in their existence as goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze in either half ensured they finished third in Group F.
That saw them qualify for the last 16 where they will play Spain, while Portugal meet Slovenia.
Portugal’s position as Group F winners was secured with wins in their opening two games, so boss Roberto Martinez made eight changes to his starting XI.
🇬🇪 Debutants Georgia book last-16 spot!#EURO2024 | #GEOPOR pic.twitter.com/2YwghjKT01
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
And they were caught cold as Georgia, ranked 74th in the world, stunned them by taking the lead after just 93 seconds.
Benfica defender Antonio Silva will not want to see a replay of the goal as his wayward pass went straight to Mikautadze who advanced and played in Kvaratskhelia to finish across goal into the bottom corner.
Portugal quickly assumed dominance and peppered the Georgia goal with shots.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a trademark swerving kick saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili while Joao Felix curled an effort just wide.
GEORGIA HAVE DONE IT! 👏
What started as a dream, is a reality. They are headed for the knockout phase! 🇬🇪#Euro2024 | #GEOPOR pic.twitter.com/WFCXonl7Tn
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2024
Ronaldo almost equalised early in the second half as his shot from close range was deflected, but Georgia’s defence was brilliantly resolute.
The pivotal moment of the game came just before the hour mark as Silva’s night went from bad to worse.
Luka Lochoshvili burst into the area and went down under a wild swing of the leg from Silva.
Referee Sandro Scharer waved play on and Portugal raced forward, with Mamardashvili producing a stunning save to keep out Diogo Dalot’s effort.
But in the break of play VAR told the Swiss official to check the monitor and he awarded a penalty with Mikautadze slotting home to give Georgia a crucial two-goal advantage.
Georgia, managed by former France international Willy Sagnol, had 20 minutes to see out and create history and they did it relatively trouble free.
They were the team who looked most likely to add to the scoreline with Mikautadze blazing over on the counter attack and Zuriko Davitashvili hitting the side-netting.
They saw out a nervy stoppage-time period, where Portugal came close to scoring, but they held on to claim a stunning win, with 68 places between the two countries in the rankings.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
