Soccer-Ronaldo starts for much-changed Portugal against Georgia
Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group F - Georgia v Portugal - Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - June 26, 2024 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Portugal coach Roberto Martinez rang the changes for his side's Group F clash against Georgia with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder Joao Palhinha and goalkeeper Diogo Costa the only players in the starting lineup who also began their previous match.
It was hardly a surprise, however, with Portugal already assured of winning the group after victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey. Martinez reverted to three at the back after using a four-man defence against Turkey.
At 39, Ronaldo would become the oldest player to score in a European Championship if he nets at Euro 2024, breaking the record set only a few days ago by 38 year-old Luka Modric of Croatia.
Georgia, who have one point, must win to reach the knockout stage. Manager Willy Sagnol made four changes to the side that draw 1-1 with the Czechs.
Georgia: Giorgi Mamardashvili; Guram Kashia (c), Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili, Giorgi Gvelesiani; Otar Kakabadze, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Otar Kiteishvili; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze.
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Antonio Silva, Danilo, Goncalo Inacio; Diogo Dalot, Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, Pedro Neto; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo (c)
(Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Ed Osmond and Hugh Lawson)