Georgia achieved the feat of beating Portugal (2-0) to seek a historic qualification in the round of 16. Turkey, for its part, won against the Czech Republic (2-1).
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Kvaratskhelia launched the feat
“It will take one, it will take one”. We remember the sentence pronounced by Grégoire Margotton, before Samuel Umtiti’s goal against Belgium during the 2018 World Cup. A tirade that has become cult that we could also use for this meeting. Two minutes into the game, Georgia’s first counter and “Kvara” has already struck. Well served by his attacking sidekick Mikautadze, the Neapolitan needed a converted action like this to get into his Euro. Performing well in the Crusaders collective until now, he had not had the opportunity to show himself individually. He was active throughout the meeting, spearheading the Georgian counterattacks. An offensive leadership role that he will be able to resume in the round of 16. For the first time in its history, Georgia will play in the final phase of a major competition and “Kvara” was able to maintain its status.
Mikautadze top scorer of the Euro
Mikautadze and his celebration. Leon Kuegeler / REUTERS
He also knew how to maintain his status. Author of three goals in three games, the other Georgia star did not thwart and was clinical in the important moments. A decisive passer on his teammate’s opener, he then thought he had missed his only opportunity of the second period on Kakabaze’s cross (55th). But the serial scorer did not tremble behind in transforming the penalty generously awarded by the referee of the match Sandro Scharer. The striker, loaned to FC Metz last season, was the anchor the Crusaders needed to carry out their perfect plan. A personal success, but also a collective one. Special mention also to goalkeeper Mamardashvili, who stopped everything.
Read alsoEuro 2024: Georgia brings down Portugal and snatches a historic qualification
FLOPS
A bad night for Portugal
Already qualified, Roberto Martinez’s men did not show their best side during this last outing in the group stages. Holder, Cristiano Ronaldo transmitted his nervousness, sometimes rightly exposed, to his young teammates. There Selection got chances through Palhinha, Joao Felix, Gonçalo Ramos and even Semedo, but she lacked accuracy and creativity to hamper a very disciplined and fair Georgian block. Aligned from the start Pedro Neto and Antonio Silva – guilty of the penalty conceded – are the Portuguese who we are unlikely to see again in the final phase.
Read alsoEuro 2024: Turkey painfully qualified for the 8th after its victory against the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic woke up too late
Excluded after barely twenty minutes of play, Antonin Barak did not help his teammates. The Czech number 7 had an important role as an attacking midfielder in a selection, which rivaled the Turks in impact. He put in too much, to leave his partners ten against eleven. Despite great resistance in numerical inferiority and with the obligation to win to qualify, the Czechs ended up giving in to a cross shot from Calhanoglu (51st) before returning to the score ten minutes later thanks to Soucek. Physically affected, they were unable to put in the effort necessary to seek qualification and were punished in the last seconds by Tosun (93rd). A difficult scenario, like their Euro.
