EUROS 2024: Georgia stun Portugal to advance as Cristiano Ronaldo loses it

Georgia have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history, beating Portugal 2-0 and advancing to the last 16.

The Georgians needed a win to reach the knockout stage at Euro 2024 and got their opening goal after only 93 seconds. Georges Mikautadze intercepted a poor pass and set up Khvicha Kvaratskelia to score with a low shot.

Antonio Silva gave away the ball before the first goal and gave away a penalty for the second, tripping Luka Lochoshvili inside the penalty area.

Mikautadze hit the spot kick low and past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 57th minute.

Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo, who felt he deserved a penalty in the first half, kicked away a water bottle when he was substituted in the 66th minute.

Georgia advanced in their debut at a major tournament as one of the best third-place teams. Portugal had already qualified from Group F after winning their first two games.

Turkey beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the other group match. The Turks also advanced while the Czechs were eliminated.

Georgia’s victory also eliminated Hungary, who finished third in Group A.

In Stuttgart, Belgium got the best out of a 0-0 draw, advancing to the last 16 while their luckless opponents Ukraine became the first team with four points in a group to be eliminated.

But the downside for the Belgians is they will next face France and Kylian Mbappe on Monday in Dusseldorf.

All four teams in Group E finished with four points after Wednesday’s final round of matches.

Romania, who drew 1-1 with Slovakia in Frankfurt, ended up topping the group, perhaps surprisingly.

Belgium finished second and Slovakia third - both also qualifying - but Ukraine were last on goal difference.

Belgium, the world No.3 side, nearly had a very different ending when Ukraine substitute Ruslan Malinovskyi tried to score directly from corner late in the match, with Belgian keeper Koen Casteels having to save the effort at the near post.

The Belgian fans booed the team at the end of the game at Stuttgart Arena, while Ukrainian supporters showed their appreciation of their national team, who have enjoyed a swell of emotional support in the championships.

Belgium, who lost to Slovakia in their opening game to put themselves under pressure, struggled to get their attack going once again, with Romelu Lukaku failing to make the most of his team’s best chance in the first half.

In Frankfurt, Romania and Slovakia both got what they wanted, but during a thunderstorm and pounding rain midway through the second half, they both chased a winning goal in a frenetic spell despite the draw suiting them both.

Slovakia led in the 24th minute when Ondrej Duda directed a powerful header down into the corner of the net.

Razvan Marin equalised in the 37th minute from a penalty awarded after a two-minute video review to decide if Ianis Hagi was tripped inside the area.

Romania will now play in the knockout round for the first time since Euro 2000 when Hagi’s father, national soccer icon Gheorghe, was captain in the No.10 shirt now worn by his son.

EURO 2024 ROUND-OF-16 FIXTURES

JUNE 29: Switzerland v Italy; Germany v Denmark

JUNE 30: England v Slovakia; Spain v Georgia

JULY 1: France v Belgium; Portugal v Slovenia

JULY 2: Romania v Netherlands; Austria v Turkey