Georgia qualified for knockout stages of an international tournament for the first time in their history after defeating Portugal 2-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co were shot down by Georgia, with an early goal from Khivcha Kvaratskhelia and a second-half penalty from Georges Mikautadze that took Willy Sagnol’s side into the knockout stages.
Portugal had already won their opening two games and Group F so Roberto Martinez made wholesale changes, but it was not a night to remember for the Portuguese or their captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who was booked and subbed after 65 minutes.
Here are five things we learned from a historical night for Georgian football…
Kvaratskhelia shows off his talent ahead of summer transfer window
Khivcha Kvaratskhelia’s transfer value keeps rising as this tournament goes on. The Georgian winger is reportedly unhappy at Napoli and angling for a move, and there is not a club in the world that would not be interested in a player who can run, dribble and finish like the 23-year-old. He took his opening goal superbly, and could have had two more. But it was his dribbling that caught the eye, and Portugal had no answer other than to hack him down.
Mamardashvili hot property after outstanding group stage
Giorgi Mamardashvili is the keeper of the tournament so far. He had a good game against Turkey in Georgia’s opening game, an absolute belter against Czechia, and was on top form again in Gelsenkirchen to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and Co at bay. One save from a Ronaldo free-kick was excellent, another to deny Joao Palhinha was more routine, and he made three more outstanding stops in the second half. At 23 the Valencia keeper has his best years to come, so no wonder Bayern Munich and other European giants are looking at him.
Ronaldo in strop after early substitution
Cristiano Ronaldo does not like it when things are not going his way, and he can’t help showing it. The Portuguese captain was unhappy with more than a few things, railing against the referee and the world in general. He was booked for dissent when he thought he should have had a penalty, told referee Sandro Scharer he was wrong to book Pedro Neto for diving (a correct decision), and was still moaning at the officials as he left the pitch at half-time. He also kicked a kick along the length of the dugout when he was hooked after 65 minutes. Cheer up Ronnie – your team still won Group F.
Much changed Portugal struggle to impress
Portugal’s squad looks really strong on paper but the game is played on grass, as they say. Roberto Martinez made wholesale changes from the side that turned over Turkey so comfortably, but without the likes of Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal do not look so strong. Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao are fine players but they did not knit together in this team, and Martinez will surely revert to his strongest side against Slovenia in the Round of 16.
Evening to forget for Silva
Poor Portuguese defender Antonio Silva had an evening to forget. The Benfica defender, only 20, was responsible for both of Georgia’s goals, with a terrible backpass setting up Khivcha Kvaratskhelia’s opener, and then fouling Luka Lochoshvilli for the penalty that made it 2-0. He also earned a withering look from Cristiano Ronaldo when he got in the way of a cross that was heading for the superstar’s head just yards from goal.
