Georgia Stuns Portugal 2-0: Ronaldo’s Milestone Match Overshadowed as Underdogs Secure Last 16 Spot
On a historic Wednesday that saw Cristiano Ronaldo set a European record, his team surprisingly fell to Georgia.
During their Group F clash, Georgia triumphed 2-0, propelling them into the Euro 2024 knockout rounds. This result cast a shadow over Ronaldo’s monumental 50th appearance in major European tournaments.
Ronaldo, now the first European to appear in 50 matches across both the World Cup and Euros, witnessed his special night eclipsed by a stellar Georgian performance.
Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring with an assist and a coolly taken penalty. These actions paved the way for his team’s historic victory, their first at a major contest.
The victorious squad, coached by Willy Sagnol, is set to face Spain next. Meanwhile, Portugal needs to bounce back quickly for their upcoming match against Slovenia.
Shock waves hit early when Mikautadze set up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who struck within the first two minutes. This rapid goal marked Portugal’s fastest ever conceded at the Euros.
Despite some aggressive attempts from Ronaldo and his squad, including a fierce free-kick, the Portuguese response was sluggish.
Georgia narrowly missed a chance to double their lead, while at the other end, Ronaldo’s close-range attempt was heroically blocked by Lasha Dvali.
An error by Antonio Silva led to a penalty, converted by Mikautadze at 57 minutes. This secured Georgia’s lead.
Ronaldo’s frustration was palpable, culminating in his substitution with more than 20 minutes remaining. As the match wound down, attempts by Nelson Semedo and Francisco Conceicao fell short, sealing an unexpected loss for Portugal.
Dreams Materialize for Mikautadze
Following his performance, Mikautadze tops the scoring leaderboard at Euro 2024. His consistency bolsters his team’s historic campaign.
Notably, he joins an elite group of players who scored in every group match, including icons like Michel Platini and Ronaldo himself.
Georgia’s victory echoes Greece’s 2004 triumph: an unexpected win against Portugal at a major tournament’s kickoff.
Worries for Martinez
Under Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s attack, featuring stars like Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao, shines bright. However, recent defensive lapses could spell trouble as they advance.
Portugal’s defensive strategy must improve, evidenced by their past vulnerability in group-stage matches. Moreover, their latest match ties for their worst Euros defeat—underscoring the need for a swift turnaround.
