EURO 2024: Plucky Georgia hope for first ever Euro victory as they face Ronaldo-led Portugal

EURO 2024: Plucky Georgia hope for first ever Euro victory as they face Ronaldo-led Portugal

Eric Munene 16:00 - 26.06.2024

Georgia's dreams of a historic first win at a major tournament were dashed by a late missed chance against the Czech Republic, leaving them in a precarious position in Group F.

Saba Lobzhanidze's last-gasp opportunity could have sealed a momentous victory for Georgia, but his inability to convert meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw, leaving them at the bottom of the group.

Despite this setback, Georgia remains hopeful as they prepare to face Portugal, knowing a win could still see them through to the knockout phase.

Facing one of the tournament favorites in Portugal presents a formidable challenge for Willy Sagnol's men. However, the fact that Portugal has already secured the top spot in the group might play into Georgia's favor.

Georgia has shown their ability to score consistently, finding the net in all but one of their last 11 international matches.

Scoring first will be crucial, as Georgia has an impressive record of avoiding defeat in their last 18 matches when taking the lead (16 wins, 2 draws).

Meanwhile, Portugal enters the match with a perfect record so far, having dispatched Turkey and the Czech Republic in their previous group encounters.

Manager Roberto Martínez aims to guide his team to a flawless group stage performance for the first time since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.

Star Players to Watch

Georgia will look to Georges Mikautadze for inspiration, as the striker has been in prolific form with goals in ten of his last 12 matches for club and country. His early contributions could set the tone for Georgia's ambitions against a strong Portuguese defense.

For Portugal, Francisco Conceição is eager to build on his impactful substitute appearance against the Czech Republic, where he scored the decisive goal.

With five goal involvements in his last six outings for Porto and Portugal, including two goals and three assists, Conceição provides a dynamic threat in attack.

As the final group stage match unfolds, Georgia faces a daunting yet hopeful task against Portugal. While Portugal aims for perfection and Georgia seeks an upset, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter.

Georgia's quest for a historic breakthrough and Portugal's pursuit of dominance will make this clash a highlight of Euro 2024's group stage finale