Georgia made headlines by securing a historic spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with an impressive 2-0 victory over Portugal on Wednesday. This win, their first ever at the European Championship, helped them progress to the last 16 as the group stage concluded. Appearing in their maiden European Championship, Georgia needed to clinch their first tournament victory against Portugal in Gelsenkirchen to advance. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal had already secured their place in the last 16 as Group F winners, leading their coach Roberto Martinez to make eight changes to his lineup.
Georgia took the lead within the first two minutes with a fantastic finish from Napoli’s winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Georges Mikautadze, who assisted the first goal, scored the second from the penalty spot early in the second half, making him the top scorer of the competition with three goals. It was a frustrating night for Portugal, as Georgia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili thwarted their attempts multiple times.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo, who holds a record of 14 goals in the Euros, is still waiting for his first goal in this year’s tournament. Ranked 74th in the world, Georgia will now face the heavily favored Spain in the next round on Sunday in Cologne, having advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Sagnol’s Pride
“It’s still hard to grasp what we’ve achieved,” said Georgia’s coach Willy Sagnol. “I’m so proud of the players for the image they have projected of Georgia today. It’s an honor to be their manager.”
This is a remarkable accomplishment for Georgia, a former Soviet Republic and European Union membership candidate currently dealing with political unrest over controversial “foreign influence” legislation.
Turkey finished second in the same group after a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Hamburg, resulting in the Czechs’ elimination. Cenk Tosun’s stoppage-time goal secured the win for Turkey, who had an advantage since the 20th-minute red card of Antonin Barak. Hakan Calhanoglu’s brilliant strike put Turkey ahead early in the second half, before Tomas Soucek equalized for the Czechs. Tomas Chory also received a red card after the final whistle. Turkey will now face Austria in the last 16 in Leipzig next Tuesday, while the 2016 champions Portugal will play against Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday.
Heartbreak for Ukraine
In a dramatic end to Group E, war-torn Ukraine was left heartbroken as they were eliminated despite earning four points. Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia provided the point each team needed to advance, while Ukraine’s effort in a 0-0 draw with Belgium was insufficient. All four teams in the group ended with four points, but Ukraine finished last due to goal difference, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Romania in their opening match.
Belgium, who were expected to dominate their group, now face a tough match against France in the last 16 after finishing second. Their supporters showed their displeasure in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne seemingly advising his teammates not to acknowledge the crowd amid growing boos and jeers.
“We need these fans, we need them against France,” De Bruyne stated. “We gave it our all in the three matches; everyone wanted to win, but we couldn’t manage it,” he added.
Slovakia, advancing as one of the best third-placed teams, will meet England next in Gelsenkirchen. Ukraine became the first team since the Euros expanded to 24 teams to fail to progress from the group stage with four points. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his thoughts on Telegram, stating, “A strong nation is one that remains united and supports each other in both defeat and victory.”
In Frankfurt, Romania advanced to the knockout stages of a Euros for the first time in 24 years after coming from behind to secure a point. Slovakia took the lead in the 24th minute with a powerful header from Ondrej Duda. However, Romania equalized 13 minutes later when Ianis Hagi, son of the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Gheorghe Hagi, won a penalty which Razvan Marin converted with authority.
Romania will face the Netherlands in the last 16.
