Have a look at the FIFA world ranking of the national football team of Georgia and Portugal
Georgia secured a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a remarkable 2-0 victory over Portugal on Wednesday, in what is considered the biggest upset by FIFA rankings in European Championship history.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s early goal and a Georges Mikautadze penalty led Georgia, ranked 74th by FIFA, to defeat the already-qualified Portugal, who are ranked sixth and were European champions in 2016.
Slovakia’s (48th) win over Belgium (third) earlier in the tournament previously held the distinction for the biggest upset.
This victory is also the greatest result for Georgia since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Georgia vs Portugal national football team FIFA world ranking after Euro 2024 match
Portugal is currently ranked 6th in the FIFA rankings while Georgia’s football team is 74th in the world.
🥇🇬🇪 UEFA Player of the Match for Georgia vs Portugal: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. pic.twitter.com/SLtUEVqPhR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 26, 2024
Georgia, finishing fourth in their Euro qualifying group, took a long route to Germany by winning their group in the UEFA Nations League and then defeating Greece in a playoff.
Under coach Willy Sagnol, a former Bayern Munich and France defender, Georgia finished third in Group F and set up a last-16 meeting with three-time Euro winners Spain.
Spain had thrashed Georgia 7-1 in Tbilisi during the qualifying stage in September.
What Did Willy Sagnol Say?
“When you are the small team of the competition, you know you have nothing to lose… You have no weight on your shoulders,” Sagnol told reporters. “Today I don’t have a lot of words. I feel very proud to be their manager.”
Georgia’s win also means that England will face Slovakia, Romania will take on the Netherlands, and Portugal will play Slovenia in the round of 16.
In another Group F match on Wednesday, Turkey booked their place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over 10-man Czechia, who now head home.
Georgia, the tournament debutants, took the lead in the second minute when Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli winger, intercepted a careless pass by António Silva and powered a low shot past Diogo Costa in Portugal’s goal.
Kvaratskhelia became the Top Scorer at Euro 2024
However, Georgia defended resolutely and sought to catch Portugal on the break. In the 53rd minute, Silva compounded his earlier error by committing a foul in the box that was awarded as a penalty after a VAR check.
Mikautadze, who provided the pass for Kvaratskhelia’s opening goal, converted the penalty, making him the top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals.
Ronaldo was booked in the first half due to arguing and cut a frustrated figure when he was substituted after the break, kicking out at a water bottle.
Ronaldo wasn't happy after getting subbed off 😬 pic.twitter.com/dinwMYGOA4
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 26, 2024
It is the first time in his career that he failed to score in the group stage of a major international tournament.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made late saves to keep Portugal at bay, and at full time, the rest of the squad and coaching staff sprinted onto the field to celebrate with their fans!