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In the early morning of June 27, Beijing time, the final round of the Group F group stage witnessed another huge upset in football history. The Georgian national team, the newcomer to the European Championship stage for the first time, made their own history by beating Portugal, who are ranked sixth in the world and have already secured top spot in the group, with a score of 2-0, and successfully qualified for the knockout stage of the European Championship.
Opening Blitze: Georgia's dream start
Just 2 minutes into the game, Georgia surprised the whole world. Kvaratskhelia received a precise assist from team-mate Mikautadze and calmly fired into the net to give his team a dream start. This goal not only made the Georgian fans boil, but also instantly boosted the team's confidence and laid the foundation for subsequent victories.
Cristiano Ronaldo controversy: Penalty controversy and mood swings
In the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo), the absolute heart of the Portuguese team, was slightly pulled by his opponent in an attack, but the referee did not award a penalty. Ronaldo expressed strong dissatisfaction with this and received a yellow card for it. This is not only a blow to the morale of the Portuguese team, but also a test of Ronaldo's personal emotional management. In the 65th minute of the game, when Ronaldo was substituted, his dissatisfaction was overflowing, and he even vented by kicking the water bottle, showing his extreme disappointment with the result of the game.
Penalty finale: Georgia consolidates their advantage
In the second half, the Georgian team continued to show stubborn defense and sharp counter-attacks. In the 57th minute, Antonio Silva committed a foul in the box, which was confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR) and the referee awarded a penalty. Mikautadze lived up to expectations and slotted the ball in to extend the score to 2-0. The decision undoubtedly had a decisive impact on the trend of the game and made Portugal's comeback more difficult.
Portugal Reflections: The Double Torture of Rotation and Efficiency
Although Portugal showed strong strength in the first two games of the group stage and secured a place in advance, the large squad rotation in this game did not seem to have the desired effect. Despite creating a number of chances, including a shot that hit the woodwork, the team's overall attacking efficiency and ability to take chances in front of goal were clearly lacking. The defeat undoubtedly made it necessary for the Portuguese coaching staff to re-evaluate their tactical arrangements and the form of their players, especially in the face of the upcoming knockout rounds, and how to adjust to the best form became an urgent task.
A historic breakthrough for Georgia
For Georgia, the victory was not just a victory in the group stage, but a milestone in the history of national football. Reaching the round of 16 in their first European Championship is an unprecedented achievement for a small football nation. The team showed a resilient spirit, an efficient counter-attacking strategy, and a calm and confident face against strong opponents. The victory not only cheered Georgian players and fans, but also proved to the world that what's possible on the football pitch is endless.
Technical statistics and the role of referees
The technical statistics throughout the game showed that although Portugal dominated possession and shots on goal, Georgia seized the few chances with efficient defensive counter-attacks and calm handling at key moments. The referee's key decisions, especially the penalty decision, were the turning point of the game, demonstrating the importance of VAR technology in modern football and ensuring the fairness of the game.
Conclusion: Surprise and reflection coexist
With an unforgettable victory, the Georgian team brought a huge surprise to the European Championship and even world football. Their feat of defeating the strong with the weak is not only an affirmation of their own strength, but also the best interpretation of team spirit and tactical execution. For Portugal, the defeat will not affect their overall plan to qualify from the group, but it is a timely reminder that they must be more focused and efficient in the next games, especially in the face of high-intensity confrontation in the knockout rounds. Georgia's qualification story inspires all small footballing nations, while Portugal's reflections offer valuable lessons for other powerhouses.