Georgia made history by securing a place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a sensational 2-0 victory over Portugal on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Turkey, Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia also advanced to the last 16 as the group stage wrapped up.
Georgia’s Momentous Achievement
Appearing in their first European Championship, Georgia needed their inaugural win at the tournament to advance to the last 16. They faced Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, with Portugal already having qualified as Group F winners. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez made eight changes to his team, providing Georgia with an opportunity they seized with both hands.
Georgia’s star player, Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, opened the scoring within the first two minutes. Georges Mikautadze, who assisted Kvaratskhelia’s goal, doubled the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half, becoming the tournament’s top scorer with three goals. Portugal, frustrated throughout the match, were continually denied by Georgia’s impressive goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Despite Ronaldo’s record tally of 14 goals in the Euros, he remains goalless in this year’s competition.
Ranked 74th in the world, Georgia will now face Spain in the next round on Sunday in Cologne, having progressed as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Coach Willy Sagnol’s Pride
“It’s still difficult to realise what we have done,” said Georgia coach Willy Sagnol. “I’m so proud of the players because what an image they have shown of Georgia today. I feel very proud to be their manager.”
This remarkable achievement comes amid Georgia’s political turmoil over controversial “foreign influence” legislation, making their sporting success even more poignant.
Turkey’s Triumph
Turkey secured second place in the group after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Hamburg, eliminating their opponents. Cenk Tosun’s stoppage-time goal clinched the victory for Turkey, who had been playing with an extra man since the 20th-minute sending-off of Antonin Barak. Hakan Calhanoglu’s superb strike put Turkey ahead early in the second half, before Tomas Soucek equalized for the Czechs. However, Tomas Chory received a red card after the final whistle.
Turkey will play Austria in the last 16 in Leipzig next Tuesday, while Portugal will face Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday.
Heartbreak for Ukraine
In a dramatic finish to Group E, Ukraine’s hopes were dashed despite earning four points. Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia ensured both teams progressed, leaving Ukraine’s 0-0 draw with Belgium insufficient. All four teams in the group ended with four points, but Ukraine’s 3-0 loss to Romania in their opening game saw them finish bottom on goal difference.
Belgium, who underperformed in a group they were expected to dominate, now face France in the last 16 after finishing second. The Belgian fans’ frustration was evident, with captain Kevin De Bruyne urging his team not to acknowledge the jeers from the stands. “We need these fans, we need them against France,” De Bruyne stated. “We gave it our all during the three matches, everybody wanted to win the matches. We tried to do this but we didn’t manage to do so.”
Slovakia advance as one of the best third-placed sides and will meet England next in Gelsenkirchen.
Romania’s Long-Awaited Progress
Romania, making it to the knockout stages of a European Championship for the first time in 24 years, came from behind to secure a point against Slovakia in Frankfurt. Ondrej Duda’s header put Slovakia ahead, but Ianis Hagi, son of football legend Gheorghe Hagi, won a penalty converted by Razvan Marin. Romania will now face the Netherlands in the last 16.
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