Georgia vs Portugal: UEFA Euro 2024

Georgia averaged the bottom possession of any staff in Euro qualifying, however they did the job and made it to the finals. They lacked possession in opposition to Portugal however did what was required – and did it in fashion.

Kvaratskhelia set Serie A alight as Napoli received the league in 2022-23, however he hasn’t hit the identical heights since. Earlier than Wednesday’s recreation, he’d struggled to make an impression in Germany, however he stepped as much as the duty on Wednesday.

Georgia boss Willy Sagnol set Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze the duty of sitting excessive up the pitch to be able to hit Portugal when fortune got here their manner and so they did so early on, the latter snatching a misplaced Antonio Silva cross to arrange a well-taken opener.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was essential in serving to them to a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, discovered himself with little work to do for many of the evening as Portugal struggled.

Ronaldo stung his palms with a long-range free-kick and despatched a deflected effort from six yards onto the roof of the online, however his impression was in any other case muted.

The 39-year-old had been seeking to change into the oldest participant to attain on the Euros however was as an alternative diminished to kicking the turf in irritation when he went off within the second half.

For Georgia’s kids, nonetheless, it was an evening to shine.

Mikautadze, 23, has scored in every of his nation’s group-stage video games. Now Kvaratskhelia has arrived and can look to make historical past once more in a troublesome recreation in opposition to Spain.