Euro 2024: Portugal win group despite loss to Georgia as Turkey defeat Czech

Portugal conceded once in each half to suffer a shocking 2-0 defeat at the hands of Georgia in their final Group F match of the 2024 European Championships. 

The Euro 2016 champions were dealt a reputation-damaging defeat by the Georgians at the Gelsenkirchen stadium on Wednesday evening.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was crowned the man of the match. The Napoli winger scored and produced a wonderful display on a night he outshone Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese pack.

Kvaratskhelia put Georgia ahead in the 3rd minute after Andre Silva lost the ball in midfield.

The Crusaders capitalised on the error, broke forward, and the move was finished by Kvaratskhelia, who slotted into the bottom corner for a surprise lead.

The Portuguese continued to plug away, but Geogia’s nerveless defending and fearlessness in attack were rewarded in the 57th minute when a penalty, awarded following a VAR check by the referee, was converted by Mikautadze.

Willy Sagnol’s team held on to secure the win, which propelled Georgia to third place with four points in Group F and to the round of 16 as one of the four best losers.

The victory is Georgia’s first-ever at the European championships, with perhaps the biggest shock so far in the tournament. The minnows also qualify for the knockout phase at the first attempt.

Elsewhere, Turkey finished in second place in Group F following a 2-1 win over nine-man Czech Republic, while Ukraine were bundled out of the tournament despite amassing four points.

Ukraine finished bottom of the log in Group E, where all four nations had four points each. They bowed out due to an inferior goal difference. Romania finished top of the group, ahead of misfiring Belgium.

The games concluded the group stage round of Euro 2024.

FULL FIXTURE OF ROUND OF 16

Saturday, June 29
Switzerland vs Italy
Germany vs Denmark

Sunday, June 30
England vs Slovakia
Spain vs Georgia

Monday, July 1
France vs Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia

Tuesday, July 2
Romania vs Netherlands
Austria vs Turkey