GEORGIA-PORTUGAL 2-0
At the Arena AufSchalke Sagnol’s team immediately broke the deadlock with the Napoli striker and then doubled the score on a penalty with Mikautadze in the second half
26 giu 2024
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Georgian feat at Euro 2024. On the third and final day of Group F, the team of Sagnol beats Portugal 2-0 already qualified first in the group and hits the mark historic pass to the eighth finals from third place. All’Arena AtSchalke Kvaratskhelia (2′) immediately unlocks the game on the counterattack, then the Georgians tighten their lines and repel the Portuguese reaction by playing on the counterattack. A tactical theme that also characterizes the second half with Don’t miss it (57′) who doubles the score with a penalty for a foul in the penalty area Antonio Silva are Lokoshvili making the result safe. In the round of 16, Georgia will face Spain.
THE MATCH
In search of a feat, with Portugal in front, Sagnol relies on the talent of Kvaratskhelia supported by Chakvetadze and Mikautadze. After having secured first place in the group against Turkey and with Leao suspended, Martinez instead makes a turnover and places Conceiçao and Joao Felix next to Ronaldo. Low, but immediately aggressive on the carriers, Georgia starts very strong, steals the ball in midfield from Antonio Silva and after two minutes unlocks everything with a diagonal from Kvaratskhelia. Left foot that concretizes a deadly counterattack and triggers the Portuguese reaction. Under pressure and looking for the right movements and balances between the departments, Martinez’s men take control of possession, gain meters and try to push on the wings. Short and compact, Georgia however tightens the lines, closes the spaces and plays on the counterattack. Ronaldo tries from a free kick, but Mamardashvili is alert. Then a header from Dalot ends wide, Antonio Silva misses the target from a good position and a right-footed shot from Conceiçao ends wide. Chances that increase the Portuguese pressure and crush the Georgian defense, but that do not break through the Georgian bunker. Ronaldo protests for a hold in the area by Lokoshvili, then a rocket from Joao Felix grazes the post and a curled right-footed shot from Palinha fails to hit the target. In Diogo Costa’s area instead an attempt by Kvara ends on the outside of the net and Gvelesiani does not take advantage of a good chance with his head. Flashes that lead to the end of the first half closed by two more saves from Mamardashvili.
The second half opens with the entry of Ruben Neves in place of Palinha and with Portugal coming close to scoring with Ronaldo and Danilo following two corners. Flashes that reiterate the tactical theme of the match and Georgia’s guarded and sly attitude. Low and compact, Sagnol’s team creates maximum density, snarls at all the balls and tries to hit throw-ins. Kvara hits badly and wastes a good opportunity, then Antonio Silva brings down Lokoshvili in the area and Mikautadze doubles the score from the penalty spot, driving the Georgian fans crazy. Goal that defuses the Portuguese pressure and changes the match. In fact, with Georgia ahead by two goals and Portugal already qualified first, the match drops in intensity and Sagnol tries to manage the result and take advantage of the counterattacks again. In the Portuguese team Ramos and Semedo take the place of Ronaldo and Silva, while in the Georgian ranks Tsitaishvili replaces Lokoshvili. Caught deep on the restart, Chakvetadze sends it wide with the right, then Diogo Jota, Matheus Nunes, Kverkvelia, Davitashvili and Mekvabishvili enter for Neto, Neves, Gvelesiani Chakvetadze and Kvara. And in the final it was Mamardashvili’s turn to take center stage with two great interventions in injury time that kept the result unchanged and sealed Georgia’s historic round of 16 at Euro 2024. A fairytale first time.
THE REPORT CARDS
Kvaratskhelia 7: rocket start and cold blood. He unlocks the match after two minutes by taking the team on his shoulders and dragging them to the eighth finals. Always ready to carry the ball and push on the counterattack, in the second half he misses a great opportunity, but he is always active and dynamic
Mistakes 7: he works dirty next to Kvara and sacrifices himself by helping the team even when not in possession. The goal comes from his recovery of the ball, then he stays cool on the spot and doubles his score, scoring his third goal in three games
Mamardashvili 7: attentive and responsive. Always vigilant on the conclusions of CR7 & Co., even on set pieces. Concrete and personality test. Great save from Dalot in the second half and two other super interventions in injury time
Antonio Silva 4.5: evening to forget. It starts badly and Georgia takes the lead, then knocks out Lokoshvili and Mikautadze doubles the lead from the spot
Ronaldo 5: Kashia doesn’t let go of him for a second and struggles to be dangerous in tight spaces. He performs poorly despite a free kick kicked at 130 km/h in the first half
Joao Felix 5,5: he moves between the lines, but he doesn’t always attack the space with the right nastiness. He shows off a couple of good plays, but they aren’t enough to break through the attentive and crowded Georgian defense
Conception 6: after Kvara’s goal he was the only one to increase his revs to react. He pushes and aims, giving unpredictability and speed to Portugal on the right, but Lokoshvili tracks him tightly and when he runs away Kiteishvili is also there to keep an eye on him. Even in the finale he is the last to give up
THE SCORESHEET
GEORGIA-PORTUGAL 2-0
Georgia (3-4-1-2): Mamardashvili 7; Gvelesiani 6,5 (30′ st Kverkvelia 6), Kashia 6,5, Lokoshvili 6,5 (18′ st Tsitaishvili 6); Kakabadze 6,5, Kochorashvili 6,5, Kiteishvili 6, Dvali 6; Chakvetadze 7 (36′ st Mekvabishvili); Mikautadze 7, Kvaratskhelia 7 (36′ st Davitashvili sv).
A disp.: Loria, Gugeshashvili, Zivzivadze, Kvilitaia, Gocholeishvili, Kvekveskiri, Altunashvili, Shengelia, Lobjanidze, Tabidze, Sigua.
All.: Sagnol 7
Portugal (3-5-2): Diogo Costa 6; Antonio Silva 4.5 (21’st Nelson Semedo 6), Danilo 5.5, Inacio 5; Dalot 6, Joao Neves 5.5 (30′ st Matheus Nunes 5.5), Palinha 5 (1′ st Ruben Neves 5.5), Francisco Conceiçao 6, Pedro Neto 5.5 (30′ st Diogo Jota 6); Ronaldo 5 (21’st Goncalo Ramos 5.5), Joao Felix 5.5.
A disp.: Rui Patricio, Jose Sa, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Nuno Mendes, Joao Cancelo, Vitinha.
All.: Martinez 5
Referee: Scharer
Markers: 2′ Kvaratskhelia (G), 12′ st rig. Mikautadze (G)
Ammonites: Mekvabishvili (G); Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, Neves R. (P)
Expelled: –
