In a thrilling match at the Arena Auf Schalke in Germany, Georgia pulled off a stunning 2-0 victory against Portugal, securing their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage. This monumental win marks Georgia’s first advancement to the round of 16 in their debut at a major international tournament.
The game started with a bang as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. A loose pass from Portugal’s Antonio Silva was intercepted by Georges Mikautadze, who quickly threaded the ball to Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger calmly slotted the ball into the net, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, tried to respond quickly. In the 17th minute, Ronaldo came close with a powerful free-kick from 30 yards out, but Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a crucial save. Despite Portugal’s persistent attacks, Georgia’s defense remained resolute. The tension escalated in the 29th minute when Ronaldo received a yellow card for arguing with the referee over a denied penalty appeal. Georgia continued to threaten on the counter-attack, with Kvaratskhelia leading the charge and nearly doubling the lead in the 35th minute.
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Georgia maintained their confident performance even in the second half
The first half ended with Georgia holding a slim 1-0 lead. As the second half began, Portugal pushed hard for an equalizer. However, in the 53rd minute, a VAR check awarded Georgia a penalty after Antonio Silva fouled Luka Lochoshvili inside the box. Mikautadze confidently buried the penalty, extending Georgia’s lead to 2-0. Ronaldo, who was chasing his 50th appearance record in major international tournaments, was substituted off in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.
Despite Portugal’s best efforts, including a brilliant save by Mamardashvili in stoppage time, they couldn’t break through Georgia’s defense. The final whistle confirmed Georgia’s historic 2-0 victory, sending them through to the round of 16. This win not only showcased Georgia’s potential on the international stage but also highlighted their resilience and tactical prowess.
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