In the last game of Group F, Georgia, playing in its first-ever Euro tournament, shocked everyone by shockingly defeating Portugal 2-0 and making it to the official round of 16 of Euro 2024.

Portugal and Georgia went into their final Euro 2024 Group F match with quite different mentalities. Georgia needed to win to advance to the round of 16, while Portugal was already certain to win the group and qualify.

Georgia demonstrated a strong sense of resolve from the outset of the game. Georgia’s brightest star, Kvaratskhelia, opened the score 1-0 for her team with a lovely curling shot from the edge of the penalty box shortly after the game began. This was the first attack of the game.

Portugal was given a 30-meter free kick in the fifteenth minute. Ronaldo Cristiano took the shot. At a startling top speed of 130 km/h, the ball was hurled over the Georgia goal’s defence wall and towards the upper corner. But the Georgia goalie, with exceptional reflexes and situational awareness, made a fantastic save.

Portugal had a decent opportunity to tie the score in the 29th minute. Neto crossed the ball inside after making an attack along the left wing. In order to clear the danger, Georgia’s custodian Mamardashvili had to race out of the penalty area and punch the ball with one hand.

But it was Conceicao of Portugal who took the ball. Sadly, his left-footed effort missed the post by a narrow margin. Ronaldo was given a yellow card for protesting to the referee that his shirt was tugged after this incident. It appears from the replay that Ronaldo had good reason to file this complaint.

A minute later, Joao Felix of Portugal was presented with an incredible opportunity. He was 25 metres out from the Georgia goal when he got the ball and fired a hard shot. The Portuguese players and supporters were disappointed as the ball missed the goal despite the shot’s speed and danger.

Georgia was given a penalty in the 56th minute of the second half of the game. It was Mikautadze who accepted it. He fired the ball in the direction of the goal’s lower corner. Diego Costa, the custodian for Portugal, made a good guess and came close to touching the ball, but it ended up going into the net. Georgia made it two goals to one.

The Portuguese coach made a replacement in the 67th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced by Goncalo Ramos. Being the leader of the squad, Ronaldo was not happy about having to leave the pitch.

Portugal assaulted nonstop in the minutes that followed, but they were unable to score even one honourable goal. In its maiden tournament appearance, Georgia caused a stir when it upset the European Selecao, winning 2-0 and moving on to the European tournament’s knockout round.

As a result, Georgia will play Spain, the only team with nine points in the Euro 2024 group stage thus far, while Portugal will play Slovenia in the round of 16.