Georgia's players around goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili celebrate after their victory over Portugal at Euro 2024. Photo: AFP
Georgia stunned Portugal to reach the knockouts at Euro 2024 - their first ever major tournament - with a 2-0 win over the former European champions, settled by an early Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike and a Georges Mikautadze penalty.
The win, albeit against a largely second-string Portugal who had already made it into the next round, represented the greatest result for Georgia since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Having come a disappointing fourth in their Euro qualifying group, Georgia had to take a circuitous route to Germany, first by winning their group in the less glamorous Euro Nations tournament and then defeating Greece in a play-off.
But there was nothing undeserved about the way Coach Willy Sagnol, the former Bayern Munich and France defender, and his side claimed a third-place finish in the tournament's Group F and set up a last-16 meeting with three-time Euro winners Spain.
Georgia's win also means that England will line up against Slovakia, Romania take on Netherlands and Portugal face Slovenia in the round of 16. Hungary, who had been in contention for a spot in the next round, were edged out.
In the other game in Group F, Turkey scored in the 94th minute to beat 10-man Czech Republic to book their place in the last, while the Czech's were eliminated.
Portugal and Turkey finished on six points, Georgia four and the Czech Republic one.
Earlier in Group E, Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 and Ukraine and Belgium drew 0-0.
All four teams finished on four points with Ukraine eliminated on goal difference.
Round of 16 fixtures (times in NZ)
June 30
4am Switzerland v Italy
7am Germany v Denmark
July 1
4am England v Slovakia
7am Spain v Georgia
July 2
4am France v Belgium
7am Portugal v Slovenia
July 3
4am Romania v Netherlands
7am Austria v Turkey
- Reuters