Relive the electrifying Euro 2024 group stage finales where Georgia pulled off a monumental shock against Portugal, and Turkey clinched their spot in the last 16 after a dramatic clash with Czechia. This recap brings you all the ключевые моменты, live score updates, and reactions as the final group standings took shape.
Georgia 2-0 Portugal: Debutants Upset Ronaldo and Secure Last-16 Berth
In a night of unforgettable football, Georgia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in Euro history by defeating Portugal 2-0. This stunning victory not only sent shockwaves through Euro 2024 but also guaranteed Georgia’s place in the knockout stages, sparking scenes of jubilation in Gelsenkirchen.
The hero of the hour, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, lived up to his billing, opening the scoring within the first two minutes. Capitalizing on a defensive error from Antonio Silva, Kvaratskhelia showcased his dazzling footwork and fired a low, precise shot past Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa, sending Georgian fans into raptures.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia celebrates scoring the opening goal against Portugal.
Portugal, despite dominating possession, struggled to break down Georgia’s resolute defense. Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his 50th major tournament game, cut a frustrated figure as chances went begging. His appeals for a penalty were waved away, and even a powerful free-kick was expertly saved by Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had an inspired night.
Georgia doubled their lead in the second half through a penalty converted by Georges Mikautadze. Antonio Silva’s night went from bad to worse as he conceded the spot-kick, and Mikautadze calmly slotted the ball home, sending Georgia into dreamland.
Georges Mikautadze of Georgia scores the penalty to make it 2-0 against Portugal.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez acknowledged Georgia’s deserved victory, stating, “We started with low intensity, we conceded early and that’s what Georgia needed… their goalkeeper had an amazing performance. They deserved to win.”
This historic win means Georgia advances to the last 16 where they will face Spain, a daunting task considering Spain’s 7-1 victory over Georgia in the qualifiers. However, after this performance, Georgia will believe anything is possible.
Turkey 2-1 Czechia: Late Drama Seals Turkey’s Qualification
In Hamburg, Turkey and Czechia played out a fiercely contested match filled with drama, tension, and a record-breaking number of yellow cards. Turkey emerged victorious 2-1, securing their passage to the knockout stages in a game that went down to the wire.
The match was marred by an incredible 18 cards shown – 16 yellow and two red, setting a new record for a European Championship game. Czechia’s Antonin Barak received a red card in the first half, leaving his team with ten men for a significant portion of the game.
Despite being a man down, Czechia showed resilience and equalized in the second half through Tomas Soucek, sparking hopes of a comeback. However, Turkey, fueled by passionate support in Hamburg, pushed forward. In the dying moments of the match, Cenk Tosun, formerly of Everton and Crystal Palace, struck a late winner in the 94th minute, sending Turkish fans into delirium and crushing Czechia’s Euro dreams.
Cenk Tosun of Turkey celebrates scoring the winning goal against Czech Republic.
The final whistle blew amidst chaotic scenes, with further yellow and even a red card shown after the match concluded, highlighting the intense emotions and high stakes of this crucial Group F encounter.
Euro 2024 Last 16: England’s Favorable Draw and Potential Road to the Final
The outcomes of these matches have significant implications for the Euro 2024 knockout stages. Georgia’s victory means England will now face Slovakia in the last 16, a potentially more favorable draw than the Netherlands, who were initially expected to be their opponents.
Map showing potential paths to the Euro 2024 final for different teams.
Should England progress, their path to the final could include matches against Italy or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and potentially Romania, Netherlands, Austria, or Turkey in the semi-finals. This places England on what many perceive as the ‘easier’ side of the draw, avoiding potential clashes with Spain, Germany, Portugal, or France until the final.
The other side of the bracket sets up tantalizing potential quarter-final matchups, including Spain vs Germany and Portugal vs France, promising high-octane clashes between European heavyweights.
Full Euro 2024 Last-16 Fixtures:
- Spain vs Georgia (June 30)
- Germany vs Denmark (June 29)
- Portugal vs Slovenia (July 1)
- France vs Belgium (July 1)
- Romania vs Netherlands (July 2)
- Austria vs Turkey (July 2)
- England vs Slovakia (June 30)
- Switzerland vs Italy (June 29)
Conclusion: A Night of Upsets and Drama Reshapes Euro 2024
Wednesday night at Euro 2024 delivered a thrilling conclusion to Group F, marked by Georgia’s stunning upset over Portugal and Turkey’s hard-fought victory against Czechia. These results not only determined the final group standings but also significantly reshaped the landscape of the knockout stages. Football fans are now eagerly anticipating the last 16, with several mouthwatering clashes on the horizon as the tournament intensifies. The dream of Euro glory remains alive for many, but for some, the journey ends here after a night of unforgettable Live Score Euro action.
