Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign ended on a sour note despite winning Group F, as a fired-up Georgia secured a historic 2-0 victory in their final group stage match.

The result, a major upset in the tournament so far, sees Georgia progress to the knockout stages for the first time ever in a major competition.

Early Goal Sets the Tone

The writing was on the wall early for Portugal, with Georgia taking a shock lead through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after just three minutes. The Napoli winger capitalized on a loose pass from Antonio Silva to put the underdogs ahead.

Portugal, with manager Roberto Martinez having rotated his squad heavily, struggled to respond. Despite controlling possession, they lacked the cutting edge to break down a resolute Georgian defense.

Penalty Seals the Deal

Georgia doubled their lead just past the hour mark through a penalty converted by Georges Mikautadze. The decision, awarded after a VAR check, left the Portuguese players fuming but ultimately unmoved on the scoreboard.

Ronaldo’s Frustration

Adding to Portugal’s woes was the visible frustration of Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran forward, already on a yellow card for dissent, was substituted early in the second half and terlihat (Indonesian for “looked”) far from pleased on the bench.

Looking Ahead

While Portugal progress to the knockout stages as group winners, they face questions about their form after a lackluster performance. Georgia, meanwhile, celebrate a famous victory and a place in the last 16, where they will take on Spain. This fairytale run for the small nation is sure to continue captivating fans across Europe.