Georgia reached their first major tournament knockout stage with a historic victory over Portugal at Euro 2024. Portugal, having already secured the top spot in their group, were stunned early on as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drilled a low shot past Diogo Costa within the first two minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Georgia capitalized on a counter-attack after overturning possession, and their early goal shaped much of the game. The underdogs did not dominate possession but made the most of their chances. Georges Mikautadze’s successful penalty in the second half further propelled Georgia to an unexpected triumph.
Throughout the match, Georgia focused on a solid defensive strategy, allowing Portugal to control possession while effectively closing down space and limiting their opportunities. This approach frustrated Portugal, who struggled to create any real danger. Cristiano Ronaldo, in particular, lacked the service to impact the game significantly, and Portugal’s midfielders failed to turn their possession into meaningful chances.
Georgia’s disciplined defense and opportunistic offense resulted in a memorable conclusion to their group stage campaign. This victory not only marked the biggest upset in Euros history, based on FIFA rankings, but also highlighted Georgia’s impressive debut in a major tournament. They will now face Spain in the last 16, while Portugal is set to take on Slovenia.
