The newcomer among the many European elite additionally celebrated his first victory at a significant event on Wednesday, taking 4 factors within the group with a draw with the Czech Republic.
Within the spherical of 16, the favored Spain awaits the Georgians, the match will happen on June 30 in Cologne. Portugal will face Slovenia on July 1 in Frankfurt.
“I am extremely completely happy and proud, we did an incredible job. We believed we might beat the Portuguese. We did it, it is unbelievable,” stated Kvaracchelija, who was named man of the match.
Eight adjustments within the Portuguese crew
Portuguese coach Martínez made eight adjustments within the lineup in comparison with the earlier duel with Turkey, even for the third time star captain Ronaldo began from the beginning. The favourite held the ball for the primary minute and a half, however conceded instantly after the primary loss. Mikautadze caught António Silva’s inaccurate cross, despatched Kvaracchelija into the break and he opened the scoring with a cross shot. The Georgians additionally scored within the third recreation of the event, the offensive help of Naples scored for the primary time.
The Portuguese had been shaken by the early objective they usually solely acquired up to the mark slowly. Mamardashvili was solely employed for the primary time within the sixteenth minute by Ronaldo, whose shot from 30 meters from a free kick was deflected over the crossbar by the Georgian goalkeeper. Within the twenty eighth minute, Conceicao discovered a crossed cross on the again submit, however he didn’t comply with up on the profitable shot from the sport towards the Czech Republic and solely despatched the ball into the facet web. A second later, Joao Félix additionally narrowly missed.
Instantly after the change of sides, Ronaldo had a 100% likelihood after a nook kick, however his shot from shut vary was blocked on the final second by the selfless Dvali. Instantly after, Kvaracchelija might have elevated from a uncommon motion, however he himself didn’t hit the volley cleanly in entrance of the goalkeeper Costa.
Nevertheless, the Georgians acquired their second hit quickly in spite of everything. Within the 54th minute, referee Schärer, following a warning from the video referee, ordered a penalty kick for the intervention of the underdog of the match, António Silva, on Ločošvili. Mikautadze took the ball similar to within the match towards the Czech nationwide crew and positioned it precisely on the proper submit, Costa stretched in useless. The 23-year-old striker scored in all three group matches, turning into the ninth participant in historical past to take action.
Portugal held the ball 67 p.c of the time, however after the opponent’s second objective, they didn’t end in any respect. The favourite completed the match in spasms, and the Georgians defended the advance end result with ease. Mamardashvili did not let both Semed’s try on the again submit or Dalot’s long-range shot behind him within the set-up. Along with his teammates, he adopted up on the nationwide crew’s twenty first crew, which additionally defeated the Portuguese crew 2:0 on the dwelling European Championship a yr in the past.
“We began lukewarm and Georgia scored early. Sadly, we weren’t so correct within the closing section, and their goalkeeper additionally confirmed an incredible efficiency. The opponent deserved the victory,” acknowledged the coach of the Portuguese, Roberto Martínez.
