historic eighths for Kvara & Co.

THE MATCH
In search of the feat, with Portugal in front Sagnol relies on the talent of Kvaratskhelia supported by Chakvetadze and Mikautadze. After securing first place in the group against Turkey and with Leao disqualified, Martinez instead makes a turnover and places Conceiçao and Joao Felix next to Ronaldo. Low, but immediately aggressive on the carriers, Georgia started very strongly, stole the ball in the midfield from Antonio Silva and after two minutes broke the deadlock with a diagonal shot from Kvaratskhelia. Left foot that materializes a deadly counterattack and triggers the Lusitanian reaction. Under pressure and looking for the right movements and balances between the departments, Martinez’s men take possession, gain meters and try to push on the outside. Short and compact, Georgia however closes the lines, closes the spaces and plays from the throw-in. Ronaldo tries from a free kick, but Mamardashvili is careful. Then a gore from Dalot ends up wide, Antonio Silva misses the target from a good position and a right-footed shot from Conceiçao goes wide. Opportunities that increase Portuguese forcing and crush the Georgian defense, but which do not break through the Georgian bunker. Ronaldo protests for a hold in the area by Lokoshvili, then a fireball from Joao Felix grazes the post and a right-footed shot from Palinha misses the big target. Near Diogo Costa, however, an attempt by Kvara ends up on the outside of the net and Gvelesiani doesn’t take advantage of a good header chance. Flashes that lead to the end of the first half closed by two more saves from Mamardashvili.

The second half opens with the entry of Ruben Neves in place of Palinha and with Portugal coming close to scoring with Ronaldo and Danilo following two corners. Flashes that reiterate the tactical theme of the match and Georgia’s guarded and sly attitude. Low and compact, Sagnol’s team creates maximum density, snarls at all the balls and tries to hit throw-ins. Kvara hits badly and wastes a good opportunity, then Antonio Silva brings down Lokoshvili in the area and Mikautadze doubles the score from the penalty spot, driving the Georgian fans crazy. Goal that defuses the Portuguese pressure and changes the match. In fact, with Georgia ahead by two goals and Portugal already qualified first, the match drops in intensity and Sagnol tries to manage the result and take advantage of the counterattacks again. In the Portuguese team Ramos and Semedo take the place of Ronaldo and Silva, while in the Georgian ranks Tsitaishvili replaces Lokoshvili. Caught deep on the restart, Chakvetadze sends it wide with the right, then Diogo Jota, Matheus Nunes, Kverkvelia, Davitashvili and Mekvabishvili enter for Neto, Neves, Gvelesiani Chakvetadze and Kvara. And in the final it was Mamardashvili’s turn to take center stage with two great interventions in injury time that kept the result unchanged and sealed Georgia’s historic round of 16 at Euro 2024. A fairytale first time.

THE REPORT CARDS
Kvaratskhelia 7: rocket start and cold blood. He broke the deadlock after two minutes, taking the team on his shoulders and dragging them to the round of 16. Always ready to carry the ball and push on the counterattack, he missed a great opportunity in the second half, but he was always active and dynamic
Mikautadze 7: he works dirty next to Kvara and sacrifices himself by helping the team even when not in possession. The goal comes from his recovery of the ball, then he stays cool on the spot and doubles his score, scoring his third goal in three games
Mamardashvili 7: attentive and responsive. Always vigilant on the conclusions of CR7 & Co., even on set pieces. Concrete and personality test. Great save from Dalot in the second half and two other super interventions in injury time
Antonio Silva 4.5: evening to forget. It starts badly and Georgia takes the lead, then knocks out Lokoshvili and Mikautadze doubles the lead from the penalty spot
Ronaldo 5: Kashia doesn’t let go for a moment and struggles to be dangerous in tight spaces. A subdued performance despite a free kick taken at 130 km/h in the first half
Joao Felix 5.5: he moves between the lines, but doesn’t always attack the space with the right malice. He shows off a couple of good plays, but they are not enough to break through the attentive and crowded Georgian defense
Concept 6: after Kvara’s goal he was the only one to increase his revs to react. He pushes and aims, giving unpredictability and speed to Portugal on the right, but Lokoshvili marks him tightly and when he runs away Kiteishvili is also there to keep an eye on him. Even in the finale he is the last to give up

THE SCORESHEET
GEORGIA-PORTUGAL 2-0
Georgia (3-4-1-2): Mamardashvili 7; Gvelesiani 6.5 (30′ st Kverkvelia 6), Kashia 6.5, Lokoshvili 6.5 (18′ st Tsitaishvili 6); Kakabadze 6.5, Kochorashvili 6.5, Kiteishvili 6, Dvali 6; Chakvetadze 7 (36′ st Mekvabishvili); Mikautadze 7, Kvaratskhelia 7 (36′ st Davitashvili sv).
Available: Loria, Gugeshashvili, Zivzivadze, Kvilitaia, Gocholeishvili, Kvekveskiri, Altunashvili, Shengelia, Lobjanidze, Tabidze, Sigua. Annex: Sagnol 7
Portugal (3-5-2): Diogo Costa 6; Antonio Silva 4.5 (21′ st Nelson Semedo 6), Danilo 5.5, Inacio 5; Dalot 6, Joao Neves 5.5 (30′ st Matheus Nunes 5.5), Palinha 5 (1′ st Ruben Neves 5.5), Francisco Conceiçao 6, Pedro Neto 5.5 (30′ st Diogo Jota 6); Ronaldo 5 (21′ st Goncalo Ramos 5.5), Joao Felix 5.5.
Available: Rui Patricio, José Sa, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Nuno Mendes, Joao Cancelo, Vitinha. All.: Martinez 5
Referee: Scharer
Markers: 2′ Kvaratskhelia (G), 12′ st pen. Mikautadze (G)
Ammonites: Mekvabishvili (G); Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, Neves R. (P)
Expelled: –