In a surprising turn of events at the UEFA Euro 2024, Georgia defeated Portugal 2-0 on June 26th, 2024, at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. This match was part of the group stage and marked a significant victory for Georgia against a traditionally stronger Portuguese side.
Georgia took an early lead in the 2nd minute with a goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, assisted by Georges Mikautadze. The early strike set the tone for the match, putting Portugal on the back foot. Despite Portugal’s efforts to equalize, Georgia’s defense held firm throughout the first half, ending 1-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Georgia extend their lead when Georges Mikautadze converted a penalty in the 57th minute, making it 2-0. Portugal struggled to break down Georgia’s organized defense and failed to capitalize on their chances. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted in the 28th minute, which impacted Portugal’s attacking dynamics.
Georgia’s disciplined performance and tactical execution were key to their victory. Coach Willy Sagnol’s strategy to press early and maintain defensive solidity paid off, allowing Georgia to secure a historic win and boost their chances of progressing further in the tournament.
This result is a major upset and has significant implications for the group standings, shaking up the expectations for the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
