By Oliver Kay, Jay Harris, and Tom Burrows
Jun 27, 2024
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In the biggest shock (by the FIFA world rankings) of Euro 2024 so far, Georgia defeated Portugal 2-0 to secure a place in the knockout stages in what is their major tournament debut.
Georgia, ranked 74, took advantage of Roberto Martinez rotating a Portugal team (ranked sixth) who had already qualified top of Group F, scoring in the second minute through the immensely talented Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Georges Mikautadze converted a second-half penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo started the game but his pursuit of becoming the oldest player ever to score at a Euros — he is 39 — goes on and he was substituted on 66 minutes with only a booking to show for his efforts.
Portugal will face Slovenia in the round of 16 on Monday evening in Frankfurt and whoever emerges from that tie faces the winner of France v Belgium in the quarter-finals.
