Georgia stun Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in biggest shock in Euros history
Georgia’s national motto declares ‘strength is in unity’ and their team of underdogs picked off Portugal’s collection of individuals to claim the biggest shock in Euros history.
Willy Sagnol’s side had been the outsiders of Group F and taken just one point from their opening two games. But with the wonderfully-talented Napoli star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia leading their attack, on a do-or-die night against an already-qualified Seleccao, they produced a wonderful shock.
They were strong, organised and ruthless against the 2016 winners, whose manager, Roberto Martinez, had made multiple changes with qualification already secured as group winners.
But he had insisted on starting Cristiano Ronaldo, as much in the hope of getting him scoring again after misfires against both Czech Republic and Turkey.
As the ridiculous countdown from 10 to kickoff took place, Ronaldo shared a few pre-match words and placed an arm around the shoulder of Kvaratskhelia, who admitted in the build up that the ex-Manchester United man was his boyhood hero. He had pictures on his bedroom walls of Ronaldo and wears No.7 for his country because he wants to be like him.
in Gelsenkirchen, it took the man known in Naples as ‘Kvaradona’ little more than 90 seconds to leave his idol in his shadow.
From kickoff, Martinez’s side had kept hold of possession, not risking it, everyone getting a touch. Then Benfica’s highly-touted young defender Antonio Silva had one of those moments, where, inexplicably, he just passed it straight to Georges Mikautadze on the halfway line - and Georgia were away.
Mikautadze drove forward, with Kvaratskhelia racing up to his left, having brushed past Silva en route. Mikautadze’s pass rolled him in, Kvaratskhelia took one perfect touch out his feet and then struck, hard, low, past Diogo Costa and into the far corner.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia celebrates
Cue bedlam.
The Georgian players rushed towards their fans behind that goal. Those same supporters roared a deafening roar, the sound reverberating off all four sides of the Veltins Arena. In the press box, most Georgians screamed and celebrated. Some rushed to film themselves, attempting to mimic those spontaneous reactions for the good of their social media feeds.
Ronaldo should have had a penalty on the half hour mark, grappled to the floor as Pedro Neto crossed from the left. But neither the referee nor VAR took an interest, and Ronaldo was booked for his protests.
Portugal dominated possession but the best chances went to the underdogs. Kvaratskhelia should have doubled the lead, but scuffed his shot from 12 yards. However his strike partner, Mikautadze, made no mistake from the penalty spot on 57 minutes, the tournament's top scorer burying his third of the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is seen on the bench after being substituted
Georges Mikautadze celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal
Portugal had chances, but couldn't convert or beat the outstanding goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardasvili. Georgia, 74th in FIFA's world rankings, had beaten Portugal, who are sixth. Never before has there been such disparity between a winner and its vanquished at a European Championships.
A disappointed Ronaldo was hooked in the 65th minute. But for once, this wasn't about him.
For Georgia another Iberian nation now await, in the shape of Spain.
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