Historic Upset: Georgia Defeats Portugal 2-0 at Euro 2024

In a stunning turn of events at Euro 2024, Georgia achieved a historic 2-0 victory over Portugal on Wednesday, securing their place in the knockout phase of their first major tournament. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s early goal and a Georges Mikautadze penalty were enough to seal the win.

Ranked 74th in the world, Georgia faced the sixth-ranked Portugal, the 2016 Euro champions. Despite Portugal fielding a second-string team, the win marks Georgia’s most significant football achievement since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The match, held in front of a passionate crowd of Georgian fans, started explosively. Kvaratskhelia capitalized on a loose pass from Antonio Silva, scoring just 93 seconds into the game. “This is the best day of my life,” said Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli winger. “We have made history and no one believed that we would beat Portugal.”

Georgia’s path to Euro 2024 was anything but straightforward. After finishing fourth in their qualifiers, they won their group in the Euro Nations tournament and defeated Greece in a playoff. Under the guidance of coach Willy Sagnol, Georgia secured third place in Group F, setting up a last-16 clash with Spain.

Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Sagnol remarked, “When you are the small team of the competition… you know you have nothing to lose… You have no weight on your shoulders.”

Portugal’s lineup featured star player Cristiano Ronaldo, one of only three starters from their previous win against Turkey. At 39, Ronaldo aimed to become the oldest goal scorer at a Euro tournament. However, Georgia’s defense held strong, and Ronaldo’s frustration was evident when he was booked for arguing and later kicked a water bottle after being substituted.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez acknowledged the intensity of their opponents, saying, “We didn’t underestimate Georgia, but Georgia were playing the game of their history.”

Georgia’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, made crucial saves to maintain the lead. At full time, the Georgian squad celebrated jubilantly on the field, marking a monumental occasion in their football history.

In other Group F action, Turkey secured their place in the last 16 with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. Georgia’s victory reshaped the knockout fixtures, with England facing Slovakia, Romania taking on the Netherlands, and Portugal meeting Slovenia.

For Georgia, this triumph is a testament to their perseverance and determination, culminating in an unforgettable night in Gelsenkirchen.