Georgia vs Portugal 2-0 UEFA Euro 2024 – as it happened
Georgia produced one of the most surprising results at Euro 2024 when they defeated Portugal 2-0 to qualify for the knockout stages a a major tournament for the very first time.
The eastern European nation registered the mot historic win as goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze ensured they finished third in Group F.
That saw them qualify for the last 16 where they will play Spain, while Portugal meet Slovenia and England’s opponents are now confirmed to be Slovakia.
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 though Cristiano Ronaldo retained his place at the head of the line.
The eastern European nation registered the mot historic win as goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze ensured they finished third in Group F.
That saw them qualify for the last 16 where they will play Spain, while Portugal meet Slovenia and England’s opponents are now confirmed to be Slovakia.
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 though Cristiano Ronaldo retained his place at the head of the line.
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00:00The opportunity for coach Roberto Martinez to mix a match and that's what he's done. Ronaldo though still leads the team.
00:07The debutants Georgia, the dream of reaching the knockout stages is far from extinguished.
00:13A point against Czechia last time out keeps them in the hunt but it's left them looking for an upset here
00:19because for the underdogs only victory this evening will do.
00:23Otherwise their first ever major tournament adventure will come to an end.
00:31Portugal have now changed string, kicking from right to left in the first half.
00:36Guinness underway on Gonçalo Guinasso.
00:39Possession for Portugal, Antonio Silva.
00:45The defender gives it away and leaves the door ajar at the back.
00:50Georgia attack in and it's Panarskaia.
00:53Fast chance and he came. Fast goal and he came.
00:56Sensational start for Georgia.
01:02What a noise. What a moment.
01:04Georgia's dreams of reaching the knockout stages are alive early in Gelsenkirchen.
01:11Wow. What a start to the game.
01:14Portugal found themselves comfortable. They pushed players on the goal.
01:17Previous two games, as soon as they win it back, they've got the pace.
01:23You know, they're so positive.
01:26The captain said to Somwell and he hasn't really shot yet and that is his moment.
01:34Brilliant finish. Panarskaia has announced himself on the Euros.
01:39Everybody knows about him in the Champions League but this is his stage now.
01:44The man known in Naples as Claridona makes his mark on this big stage.
01:50Will he send your side ahead?
01:57Cristiano Ronaldo, I was going to tell the referee where he needs the ball.
02:00He just does not lose any of his motivation which is incredible to say.
02:05The career that he's had and how good he's been.
02:10So it's Cristiano Ronaldo here for Portugal.
02:13It was a super free kick as well.
02:18I think he's going to get this on target but look how it went there.
02:22I think Panarskaia actually made that look like it was an easy stop.
02:28One preferred position of the defensive midfield player.
02:35Fenix. Here's Kalinia.
02:44Now Pedroneta.
02:46Dangerous looking ball. An important hand.
02:50And into the side netting of the boot of Gonçalves.
02:58That's a well-worked set-piece routine.
03:01Just clipping it off at the far post.
03:03He's really got something on him.
03:07So careful with keeping the ball down there.
03:10Francisco Gonçalves.
03:14The other card for Cristiano Ronaldo.
03:16Plaining to the referee about a decision that he hasn't got.
03:22But he quite clearly...
03:24Francisco Gonçalves.
03:28Has to play. He's got really solid defending.
03:31Mascherari in there. Decent shot.
03:34Not far away.
03:37Pedroneta, isn't it? From Portugal.
03:40Needs to get here again. On the wide post.
03:43What a happy to front-knock.
03:45It's great defending by Capetazzo in the end but forced to Fenix.
03:49That's not far away.
03:52He's just having a good seam here, the left fly.
03:56Pedroneta thought that he'd got a throw in there but the determination of Capetazzo kept him alive.
04:04Periskelia!
04:08They were desperate to get the ball to him there in time.
04:11Absolutely full of confidence.
04:13This is a problem when you play a winger to defenders, wing-back.
04:16Pedroneta has not really got that sort of attitude to the defence first.
04:21But Periskelia.
04:28Pedroneta.
04:34Sharp pass.
04:36Sharp Alinea. Ronaldo!
04:38Super block.
04:40Lovely little touch.
04:53Referee has given a yellow card for simulation to Pedroneta.
04:58Who was expecting a free kick but gets exactly the opposite.
05:01You know what, I actually agree with the referee.
05:04I think my first initial reaction there was he went down with a little bit too much show there.
05:11I think if he'd gone down normally he would have probably got...
05:14You see he jumped.
05:16Not time very much up there, Rasmus.
05:18We're going to add it to time.
05:19I think we've got two additional minutes here for the Old Schalke Arena.
05:27Fenix.
05:28He's going to have a go himself.
05:31Let's go.
05:38To that near post area.
05:40Ronaldo!
05:42Just over the top of the crossbar.
05:44It looked to be covered by...
05:46He thought he might have got his goal.
05:48Yeah, I mean it just fell really kindly for him.
05:51Again, Georgia prepared to throw absolutely all the bodies at it.
05:56That was absolutely there.
05:58Ronaldo just making sure that he went over the top.
06:06In the great corner but it almost found its way through.
06:10Fenix drew the delivery.
06:12Yeah, actually causing real problems.
06:14What Georgia are not doing for these set pieces.
06:16They're not getting first contact on the ball.
06:27Baccarati.
06:28Ooh, there was a chance there suddenly from nothing for Quaratschelia.
06:33I'll tell you what.
06:35Here's Mikhail Tadze.
06:40Danilo misses it.
06:41And again, almost an opportunity.
06:44The attack's still on here.
06:46It doesn't reach Quaratschelia.
06:50And Portugal in their desperation to get back in the match.
06:54Leaving gaps.
06:57Georgia's players want something from the referee there.
07:03Diogo Dalot looks for an opening.
07:07Great save once again by Mamadashvili.
07:11They're all appealing for a penalty.
07:13There is a penalty check.
07:15This was the shot at the other end.
07:16There's the save.
07:17I'll tell you what.
07:18He is incredible.
07:19Incredible.
07:22Referee has been asked to go and have a look.
07:25Georgian fans are trying to contain their excitement at the possibilities here.
07:30And they give him another chance.
07:32As soon as you see it like that, you just know that it's impeded him.
07:35He's got to touch first.
07:36He's got nowhere near.
07:39Well, he's missed the ball and cut his leg, hasn't he?
07:41Absolutely.
07:42He's got to be giving this to the referee.
07:45This would be incredible.
07:46Incredible.
07:48Just looking for a couple.
07:50Just looking for a couple.
07:52Yeah.
07:54It's a penalty.
07:55And it's a golden chance for Georgia to double their lead.
08:00Mikhail Tadze.
08:06Oh, he's taken it.
08:10Mr. Goal Again Man strikes again.
08:13George Mikhail Tadze.
08:16And now they really do start to believe they could be on the verge of something truly special.
08:34Georgia incredibly and probably lead Portugal by two goals to nil.
08:41If they win this match, they're into the round of 16.
08:45Wow.
08:46The atmosphere in here is incredible.
08:48And absolute nerves of steel here.
08:50Mikhail Tadze, he went that way.
08:53The goalkeeper Costa, he gets the right way.
08:56And in the end, he just sneaked it underneath him.
08:59Great penalty.
09:00Under pressure there.
09:01He knows what it means to his country.
09:05Don't go anywhere.
09:09It's going to be quite salty.
09:11They scored a hat-trick in the game.
09:14They're going to get involved here.
09:15All hands on deck suddenly.
09:17And so I can't say so.
09:19Sanjay wrestling over the top of the bar.
09:22Collected by Mikhail Tadze.
09:24Lovely little lay-off.
09:25Now a chance of a break.
09:27Chadward Tadze.
09:30Bearing down on goal.
09:32Goodness me.
09:33That was lashed towards the goal.
09:36Getting through to the knockout rounds is incredible.
09:38They would be more than glad to play anyone, anywhere.
09:40If they could just win this match.
09:42Historic night.
09:43What a ball there from Mikhail Tadze.
09:46Oh, that was a chance there.
09:47Albeit.
09:49Of an incredible moment here.
09:52As Portugal continue to put the pressure on.
09:56Here's Ponce Sau.
09:58And it still won't go in.
10:00It's not going to happen for Portugal's players tonight.
10:03Not score.
10:04If they can't score that one.
10:06That's as close as they've got.
10:07Nobody can get a touch on.
10:09Cannot believe it.
10:10Jostar I think was the closest.
10:11Trying to flick through the legs.
10:1690 seconds to go.
10:20But this is the real stuff.
10:22This is the big stage.
10:24This is when it really matters.
10:26This is a match with consequences.
10:28This is a match and a result.
10:30And this is another superb save.
10:32From Mamadas Vili.
10:34And this combination is going to help to the knockout stages of this Euro.
10:39Georgia survive the latest barrage from Portugal.
10:43All eyes on the referee.
10:44There goes the whistle.
10:47An historic night.
10:50Take a bow.
10:52Everyone out there from Georgia.
10:57Tournament football.
10:59Occasionally throws up something special like this.
11:05Portugal aren't happy.
11:06Of course they're not.
11:07But they've won the group anyway.
11:08But it means the world and more to those players from Georgia.
11:13And those spectators.
11:15This is their first time ever at a major tournament.
11:21Unheralded.
11:22Unfancied.
11:23The lowest ranked team here in Germany.
11:26And they have risen.
11:28And tonight they have conquered Portugal.