Georgia beat Portugal to reach Euro 2024 last 16

Georgia beat Portugal to reach Euro 2024 last 16

Famous Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first two minutes to put Georgia ahead. Georges Mikautadze, who set up that goal, scored a penalty early in the second half to make it 2-0 and become the competition’s top scorer with three.

Lisbon struggled all night as Georgia’s impressive goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili denied them several times. Ronaldo, 39, has a Euros record 14 goals but has yet to score this year. Georgia, ranked 74th in the world, will play Spain in the next round on Sunday in Cologne as one of the four best third-placed teams.

SANGOL ‘SO PROUD’

“It’s still hard to believe what we did,” said Georgia coach Willy Sagnol.

“The players’ portrayal of Georgia today makes me proud. I’m proud to manage them.”

Turkey won after Antonin Barak’s 20th-minute dismissal with an extra man thanks to Cenk Tosun’s stoppage time goal. After Hakan Calhanoglu’s brilliant goal put Turkey ahead early in the second half, Tomas Soucek equalized for the Czechs, who also saw Tomas Chory sent off. Turkey plays Austria in Leipzig next Tuesday in the last 16, while 2016 champions Portugal play Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday.

Heartbreak for Ukraine

After scoring four points, war-torn Ukraine was heartbroken as they exited Group E. Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia gave them both the points they needed to advance, while Ukraine’s brave 0-0 draw with Belgium was insufficient.

Each team finished with four points, but Ukraine finished last on goal difference after losing 3-0 to Romania in their opener. Belgians may be charged for making a meal for a group they were supposed to cruise with Domenico Tedesco’s second-place team facing France in the last 16. After the final whistle in Stuttgart, captain Kevin De Bruyne appeared to tell his teammates not to acknowledge them as the whistles and jeers grew louder.

“We need these fans against France,” said De Bruyne.

We gave our all in the three matches; everyone wanted to win. “So, we tried but failed,” he said. One of the best third-placed teams, Slovakia will play England in Gelsenkirchen. Ukraine became the first team since the Euros expanded to 24 teams to fail to advance from the group stage with four points.

“A strong nation is always united and supportive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram about defeat and victory.

Romania reached the Euros knockout stages for the first time in 24 years after coming from behind to take a point in Frankfurt. Ondrej Duda’s header put Slovakia ahead on 24 minutes. Ianis Hagi, son of former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Gheorghe Hagi, won a penalty that Razvan Marin converted to take the lead after 13 minutes. Romania faces Holland in the last 16.