The Portuguese team soon won a ticket to qualify for the EURO 2024 group stage one match early after winning against both the Czech Republic (2-1) and Turkey (3-0), but the competition with Georgia is still important when This is a practice session for Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates for the tough round of 16 ahead.

However, facing an opponent 68 places lower on the FIFA rankings, Portugal suԀԀenly conceded first. In the 2nd minute, Georges Mikautadze had a run down the middle of Portugal and then poked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia through. The Napoli star decisively scored with his left foot to beаt goalkeeper Diogo Costa, putting Georgia ahead.

Georgia took the lead

AFP

It is commendable for Georgia that in their first EURO appearance, the Eastern European team scored against Turkey, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

Kvaratskhelia’s goal made the match follow a predictable pattern: Portugal pressed the field, and Georgia struggled to defend. Georgia’s defensive wall left coach Roberto Martinez’s team deadlocked, having to resolve the match with long shots.

In the 17th minute, Ronaldo took a very strong free kιck, but the ball went right to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. 5 minutes later, Portugal had another chance, but Joao Palhinha had a gentle shot, unable to beаt the goalkeeper playing for Valencia. In the 28th minute, it was Francisco Conceicao’s turn to kιck back after the ball bounced around, but once again, the ball was inaccurate.

In an effort to find his 15th goal in the EURO finals, Ronaldo played very hard. The 39-year-old striker was pulled down in the penalty area midway through the first half but Portugal was not awarded a penalty. Ronaldo then complained, but even had to receive a yellow card from the referee. Then in the 34th minute, Ronaldo coordinated one touch with his teammates and then ran down to finish at a tight angle. However, Georgia’s defenders played hard to save the match.

Ronaldo received a yellow card for his reaction

AFP

Portugal’s pressure continued from the first half to the second, but when they were having a relatively good attacking rhythm, coach Roberto Martinez’s team was doused with cold water. 

In the 55th minute, Georgia’s Luka Lochoshvili was fouled by Antonio Silva in the penalty area. The Portuguese midfielder’s shoe toe touched his opponent’s ankle. After consulting VAR and reviewing slow motion, referee Sandro Scharer blew a penalty for Georgia.

On the 11m mark, Mikautadze placed his goal accurately in the right corner, helping Georgia double the gap. 

With a 2-goal lead, Portugal could no longer maintain enough pressure like in the first half. The peak of the controversy came in the 66th minute when coach Martinez withdrew Ronaldo from the field to be replaced by Goncalo Ramos. Despite holding the ball more, Portugal was monotonous on the ball, mainly relying on crosses from both sides. 

Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also played impressively to protect his net from Portugal’s attacks in the second half. 

Losing 0-2 in the end, Portugal still holds the top spot in Group F. As for Georgia, the golden victory helped this team get 4 points, thus winning a ticket to round 16 of EURO 2024 in their first participation. prize. Real Georgian fairy tale!