Georgia vs Portugal LIVE RESULT: Mikautadze & Kvaratskhelia STUN Ronaldo and Co to reach last 16 – latest
GEORGIA stunned the rest of Europe to reach the last 16 of Euro 2024.
The football minnows - ranked 74 in the world - needed to beat Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who had looked like one of the best sides at Euro 2024 so far, scoring six goals in two games.
It only took Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 90 seconds to score the opener before Georges Mikautadze slotted home a penalty to put Georgia in dream land.
- TV channel: ITV1
- FREE live stream: ITVX
- Georgia team: Mamardashvili, Gvelesiani, Kashia, Dvali, Kakabadze, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Lochoshvili, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
- Portugal team: Costa, Silva, Danilo Pereira, Inacio, Dalot, Palhinha, Neves, Neto, Conceicao, Felix, Ronaldo.
- GROUP F LIVE TABLE
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Euro 2024
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
14. A Giorgi Chakvetadze effort is blocked, and spins kindly for Diego Costa in the Portugal goal.
It's a rare break upfield with 42.5% of the action having been in the Georgia third so far.
Still, the only numbers that really matter are the 1 and 0 in the scoreline.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
12. Georgia have won the hearts and minds of the watching public this summer.
They're like classic Tim Henman at Wimbledon or the dog that got to the final of Britain's Got Talent.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
10. Francisco Conceicao takes a tumble after being bundled out of play on a dart up the right.
The youngster rolls around for a bit before Ronaldo comes across to pick him up and hurry him back into position.
He's got some cheek.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
8. Portugal are beginning to settle after that early setback.
They're bossing the ball with Conceicao and Neto seeing plenty of it out wide.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
6. That goal means Georgia are up to third place in Group F and will qualify as it stands.
It also means England will face Slovakia in the Last 16 rather than the Dutch.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
4. Wow! Cristiano Ronaldo and co. cannot believe what they've seen.
Don't expect Georgia to sit on this lead. I don't think they know how.
England, take note.
Georgia 1-0 Portugal
2. It's taken just 92 seconds for Georgia to grab a shock lead!
Antonio Silva's slack square pass from the far touchline is seized upon by Georges Mikautadze, who leads the charge upfield with a two-on-three break.
The pass from the forward is perfect into Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose control and finish past Diogo Costa on his left foot is just as good.
The Arena AufSchalke erupts! Incredible scenes!
How about that then?!
Kick-off - Georgia v Portugal
1. And we're off! Swiss referee Sandro Scharer is the man in charge, and signals the start of this Group F encounter.
Much-changed Portugal are in their changed strip as they kick-off; Georgia are in red shirts and black shorts.
Here come the two teams!
The Portuguese kids make their way out on to the pitch in Gelsenkirchen, led by the old master - their captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The legendary forward is older that the country of Georgia itself, but tonight they go head-to-head with plenty for the European minnows to prove.
Guram Kashia fronts Willy Sagnol's squad as they line-up for the national anthem, setting the tone for what is sure to be an emotional and dramatic night.
The final group games at Euro 2024 are about to get underway.
Portuguese put faith in youth
Roberto Martinez has named Joao Neves (19y 273d), Antonio Silva (20y 240), Francisco Conceicao (21y 195d) and Goncalo Inacio (22y 298d) in his much-changed Portugal line-up to face Georgia tonight.
It will be the first time in the nation's history that four players under the age of 23 have started in the same match at a European Championship.
Georgia thriving on Mamardashvili magic
Across the first two matchdays of Euro 2024, Georgia faced more shots (49), more shots on target (20) and had a higher xG against (6.1) than any other side in the tournament.
However, exciting, young goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made more saves (16) and had a higher xGoT prevented figure (+3.05) than any other stopper, conceding just four goals despite facing an xGoT of 7.05.
Showdown in Group F
Portugal have already confirmed their status as Group F winners, but it's all to play for the other three nations.
Turkey are in the box-seat but wins for either Czechia or Georgia, and they too will be joining the Selecao in the Last 16.
And either of those two were to emerge victorious in their respective games, then England would be looking at a match in the next stage with Slovakia rather than the Netherlands.
- Georgia v Portugal (8pm)
- Czech Republic v Turkey (8pm)
Credit: uefa.com The old goat and young gun
Cristiano Ronaldo will likely link up with midfielder Joao Neves across the course of this evening's counter - despite there being almost two decades between the players.
The gap of 19 years and 235 days between Benfica ace Never (19y 273d) and the legendary Ronaldo (39y 142d) is the biggest in age between two outfield starters for a team in a European Championship match.
Ronaldo IN
One of the big questions heading into this one was what kind of team Roberto Martinez would play.
Cristiano Ronaldo was always going to start, Roberto Martinez revealed as he did not want to risk shutting him down for almost a week.
"Cristiano will be a starter tomorrow," said Martinez.
"He is an important player. He had a very consistent season and played every match, playing a lot of minutes.
"To continue the competitive pace, it is not a good idea to stop him playing now and then reactivate him in another six days."
TEAM NEWS - Portugal XI
Portugal (3-5-2): 22 Costa; 24 A. Silva, 13 Danilo, 14 Inacio; 5 Dalot, 15 J. Neves, 26 Conceicao, 6 Palhinha, 25 Neto; 7 Ronaldo, 11 Felix
Subs: 1 Patricio, 12 Sa, 2 Semedo, 3 Pepe, 4 Dias, 8 Fernandes, 9 Ramos, 10 B. Silva, 18 R. Neves, 19 Mendes, 20 Cancelo, 21 Jota, 23 Vitinha
TEAM NEWS - Georgia XI
Georgia (5-3-2): 25 Mamardashvili; 2 Kakabadze, 15 Gvelesiani, 4 Kashia, 14 Lochoshvili, 3 Dvali; 10 Chakvetadze, 6 Kochorashvili, 17 Kiteishvili; 22 Mikautadze, 7 Kvaratskheila
Subs: 1 Loria, 12 Gugeshashvili, 5 Kverkvelia, 8 Zivzivadze, 9 Davitashvili, 11 Kvilitaia, 13 Gocholeishvili, 16 Kvekveskiri, 18 Altunashvili, 19 Shengelia, 20 Mekvabishvili, 21 Tsitaishvili, 23 Lobjanidze, 24 Tabidze, 26 Sigua
'Dream stronger'
Georgia manager Willy Sagnol said: "People always want more and it is non-stop because we’re here now.
"We’re going to do everything we can to keep dreaming even stronger. Portugal is Portugal, it’s a fantastic team with a lot of top, top players.
"We know it is going to be difficult but if there is a little chance to qualify you can be assured my players will do everything.
"We are very glad to be part of it and we have shown everyone that Georgia deserve to be here."
Georgian dream
Georgia have been one of the most entertaining sides in the competition and are really unlucky to only have a point from their two matches.
They have a chance to qualify as a third-placed side but must beat Portugal and hope that the Czech Republic fail to beat Turkey.
Good evening!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the last round of group fixtures at Euro 2024.
Portugal are already through but will want to keep their 100% record.
They have been one of the best teams of the tournament so far, scoring six goals in two matches, although it remains unclear if they will stick to their strongest XI or rotate.
Team news is usually expected just before 7pm.