Incredible Georgians! For their first participation in a European Championship final phase, Willy Sagnol’s men qualified for the round of 16, Wednesday July 26, after their victory against Portugal, already qualified and assured of first place in Group F following its first two victories (2-0).
Author of a perfect start to the match, Georgia quickly took the upper hand thanks to a goal from its midfielder, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (1-0, 2e). The Georgians then knew how to turn their backs, and played lucky, as with this penalty not whistled after what seemed to be a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty area, before themselves benefiting from a penalty at the hour of play (2-0, 57e).
The Georgians also took advantage of the Czech defeat against Turkey (2-1), in the other match, to secure third place in Group F. They will face Spain, one of the favorites for the title , during the next match, Sunday at 9 p.m. The Portuguese will play against Slovenia on Monday at 9 p.m., while the Turks will face Austria on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
What you must remember
- The cador. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Paris Saint-Germain wants to recruit the Naples midfielder, and we understand why when we see his performance this Wednesday. In all the good moves, the twirling number 7 of Georgia reigned over the midfield, multiplying the dribbles and passes at the right tempo. Kvaratskhelia also opened the scoring with a dry strike in the second minute of the match to launch his team perfectly.
1-0, 2e : On a Portuguese restart error, Georges Mikautadze quickly projects himself into the Portuguese camp and serves Kvaratskhelia on the left. The Neapolitan crosses his shot and finds Diogo Costa’s small net.
2-0, 57e : Portuguese defender Antonio Silva takes Luka Lochoshvili’s foot in the area and the referee points to the penalty spot. Georges Mikautadze grabs the ball, and finds Costa’s small right net, started on the right side but too short.
Thanks to this success over Portugal, Georgia has its ticket for the round of 16 of a Euro for the first time. And for good reason: the Crusaders are competing in Germany in the first continental competition in their history!
- The turning point of the match: the penalty not whistled for Portugal
At the 28e minute, Cristiano Ronaldo is sanctioned with a yellow card for protesting. After slow motion, the Portuguese captain seems to be held by the jersey, and for a long time, by the Georgian defender Luka Lochoshvili in his area. If the penalty is perhaps not obvious, the referee could have reviewed the action with the VAR.
What a great way to end the group stage! Against an attacking but messy Portuguese side, the Georgians provided a lesson in realism in a game with no downtime.
