Back in March, Tbilisi’s streets were alive with impromptu celebrations as Georgia secured their first-ever major tournament berth. Fast forward to now, and they’ve outdone themselves by advancing to the Euro 2024 knockout stage.
Upset of the tournament: Georgia stuns Portugal
In an extraordinary twist, Georgia achieved a 2-0 victory over Portugal in their final group-stage match, defying all expectations. Ranked 68 places below Portugal in FIFA’s rankings, Georgia’s triumph is one of the greatest upsets in football history. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the team’s standout player, expressed the monumental impact of the win, calling it “the best day in the lives of Georgians.” Post-match, the Napoli star clung to Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey, a poignant symbol of their stunning victory over the Portuguese giants.
Despite Portugal’s persistent offensive efforts, they were stymied by Georgia’s steadfast defense. Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martinez, praised the underdogs for their “incredible belief” and acknowledged that they “deserved the credit” for their remarkable performance. The post-match scenes were filled with jubilation as players and fans celebrated together, singing and dancing in a shared moment of triumph. Reflecting on the achievement, Kvaratskhelia remarked, “We just made history, nobody would believe that we would make it happen and we would defeat Portugal.”
From underdogs to contenders: Georgia’s path forward
Georgia’s path to Euro 2024 was paved through the Nations League, where they clinched their spot by narrowly defeating Greece in a dramatic penalty shootout. This marked their first qualification for a major tournament since declaring independence in 1992. Faced with the daunting task of playing against Portugal, Georgia exhibited a fearless mindset, with manager Willy Sagnol, the former French and Bayern Munich full-back, emphasizing that being the underdog meant they had nothing to lose.
The victory has set the stage for a last-16 clash with Spain, another powerhouse of European football. Georgian football journalist Dato Lobjanidze described the ecstatic atmosphere in Tbilisi, noting, “Tbilisi is not going to sleep tonight! There will be lots of celebrations in the streets, people are just shouting and screaming and being happy.” Pat Nevin, former Scotland and Chelsea winger, also lauded Georgia’s performance, calling it a “beautiful moment” in football. “They fought, they battled, they were technically superb. You would not want to play them in the next round,” Nevin commented.
This incredible journey and historic victory have not only carved a new chapter in Georgian football but also highlighted the enchanting unpredictability of the sport.
