Georgia stuns Portugal 2-0 to qualify for Euro 2024 round of 16

Georgia has pulled off one of the biggest surprises of Europe championship history on Wednesday, beating Portugal 2-0 and access to the round of 16.

The Georgians needed a win to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024 and scored their first goal after just 93 seconds. George Mikautadze intercepted a bad pass and prepared Khvicha Kvaratskelia score with a low shot.

Antonio Silva lost the ball before the first goal and conceded a penalty for the second, tripping Luka Lochoshvili in the penalty area. Georges Mikautadze took the penalty from the ground and beat the Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 57th minute.

Kvaratskhelia said: “I am so proud.”

Georgia made their major tournament debut as one of the best third-placed teams. Portugal had already qualified from Group F after winning their first two games.

Portugal is big Cristiano Ronaldowho felt he deserved a penalty in the first half, kicked a water bottle as he was substituted in the 66th minute.

Ronaldo was shown a yellow card for his protests after his penalty appeal was rejected. He wanted the decision to be made after his shirt was pulled in the box by Lochoshvili as a cross came in. No foul was called.

With Portugal already through, Ronaldo was one of only three players retained in the squad from the previous 3-0 win over Türkiyewith Side and midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Portugal were short of creativity in the second half as the Georgian defence held back, but the 2016 champions had chances in added time. Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Georgia's two-goal lead intact with saves from Nelson Semedo And Diogo Dalotwhile Francisco Conceição narrowly missed the target.

At the final whistle, Georgian players rushed off the bench to hug Mamardashvili and jumped for joy in front of their noisy fans.

In the other group match, Turkey beat the Czech Republic 2-1. The Turks also qualified, while the Czechs were eliminated.

Georgia's victory also eliminates Hungary, who finish third in Group A.