Georgia shocked Portugal with a lavish 2-0 win to retain qualification for the final 16 at Euro 2024 – their first main match.
Georgia’s process at kick-off was once easy – beat Portugal and they’d succeed in the after spherical. They did simply that, putting in place a gathering with Spain in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
With first playground in Crew F already tied, Roberto Martinez made 8 adjustments to his Portugal aspect – an element that unquestionably contributed to their disjointed show. Enhancements might be wanted after they face Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday.
Georgia had refuse such problems, scoring inside of two mins when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia punished Antonio Silva’s error, racing onto Georges Mikautadze’s via ball and burying a end past Diogo Costa.
Silva was once at fault once more for the second one function, catching Luka Lochoshvili within the section later extra sloppy Portugal protecting.
A penalty was once given later a pitchside overview, with Mikautadze changing to turn into the scorer on the match and capping arguably the best evening in Georgian soccer historical past.
Superstar performer: Georges Mikautadze
Discounting personal objectives – there have already been seven – Georges Mikautadze is the lead scorer at this summer season’s match. No longer many would have predicted that after Euro 2024 started nearly two weeks in the past.
The 23-year-old – who was once born in France – has now scored in each and every of Georgia’s 3 fits in Germany. He additionally claimed the lend a hand for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s early clash that in the end sank Portugal.
Six months in the past, this story would have slightly been plausible. Mikautadze’s advance to Ajax had long gone horribly improper as he made simply 3 begins and failed to search out the online throughout the primary part of the season.
A mortgage again to former membership Metz was once organized in January. Mikautadze briefly rediscovered his method, scoring 12 instances to safeguard he arrived at Euro 2024 in top situation.
Mikautadze is now threatening to eclipse Kvaratskhelia – Georgia’s celebrity participant – as he makes a reputation for himself at the greatest level.
Martinez tinkers as Ronaldo toils
Cristiano Ronaldo is but to attain at Euro 2024
Grievance of Portugal might be tempered via the reality they’d already wrapped up lead spot within the staff prior to taking over Georgia, however the aspect Roberto Martinez decided on – that includes 8 adjustments – will have to nonetheless had been excellent plenty to overcome Willy Sagnol’s outfit.
Upcoming ditching the 3-4-3 formation that floundered in opposition to Czech Republic within the win over Turkey, Martinez reverted to the gadget in Gelsenkirchen, recasting Wolves’ celebrity winger Pedro Neto as a left wing-back.
It didn’t paintings. Neto was once nameless, week the again 3 of Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio and Danilo Pereira seemed susceptible each time Georgia attacked.
Regardless of the sport being inappropriate when it comes to Portugal’s proceed via Crew F, Cristiano Ronaldo began his 3rd fit in 8 days.
The 39-year-old is obviously determined for his first function at this championship however infrequently gave the impression of being the only to breach Georgia’s defence.
Shorn of the explosiveness that helped to manufacture him an all-time superior, Ronaldo calls for carrier from his team-mates. However Portugal’s supply into the field was once woeful.
Martinez will refuse hesitation repair the ones he rested to the XI for Monday’s last-16 sport with Slovenia. However Portugal are at the identical aspect of the draw as Germany, Spain and France.
The chief must briefly choose a gadget and figure out how to deliver the most productive out of Ronaldo if he’s to justify his place on the helm of Portugal’s star-studded squad.
Kvaratskhelia: That is the most productive occasion of my past
Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez mentioned: “We didn’t underestimate Georgia, but Georgia were playing the game of their history and we were playing the last game when we were already top of the group.
“It was once tricky for us to compare the similar depth.”
Match-winner Khvicha Kvaratskhelia said: “I believe there was once refuse particular person very best participant, it was once a workforce.
“We have made history and no-one would believe that we would beat Portugal. But we showed everyone that the Georgian team can make it happen.
“That is the most productive occasion in my past.”