Georgia produced the biggest shock of Euro 2024 last night, defeating Portugal to book their place in the last-16 of the tournament.
Taking part in their first ever major tournament, not many football fans were expecting the Georgians to make much noise on the pitch in Germany. They would go on to impress in their opening fixture against Turkey despite a loss, before drawing with Czechia in their second game.
That meant that only a victory would do last night if they hoped to advance to the knockout rounds. While they were playing a much changed Portugal side, it was still expected that Cristiano Ronaldo and co would have too much for Georgia.
What followed was a remarkable performance from the Euros debutants, securing a 2-0 victory to ensure their place in the next round.
🇬🇪 2-0 🇵🇹
Georgia double their lead against Portugal from the penalty spot and the upset of the tournament is on. Willy Sagnol's stock continues to climb - perhaps not great news for the FAI!
📺 @RTEplayer 👉https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Live updates 👉https://t.co/jZ942XniTU pic.twitter.com/9I10n0VU6i— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 26, 2024
They will now face Spain on Sunday evening for a place in the quarter-finals.
READ HERE: Watch - Fan Almost Leaps On Furious Cristiano Ronaldo From Stands After Portugal Defeat
Mad Scenes In Georgia's Capital After Euro 2024 Win Over Portugal
Considering Georgia's relative lack of success in international football down through the years, it should come as no surprise that their victory over Portugal sparked some wild scenes in the country last night.
The capital city of Tbilisi burst into life after the final whistle, with the reactions of fans heard both during and after the game.
2:0 aeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sa29HDsA6M
— Little Soldier Fella (Gocha Gogsadze) 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@fella_soldier) June 26, 2024
Tbilisi going wild after Georgian victory. pic.twitter.com/qFJLz2Rvdk
— Ani Chkhikvadze (@achkhikvadze) June 26, 2024
It wasn't long before the Georgia fans would take to the streets in celebration.
Despite the game not finishing until close to 1am local time, football fans would turn Tbilisi's main thoroughfare into a remarkable site over the couple of hours that followed.
Freedom Square right now, as half of #Tbilisi seems out to celebrate the victory of #Georgia's football team. pic.twitter.com/YMZHTBvzdG
— Hans Gutbrod (@HansGutbrod) June 26, 2024
Tbilisi right now 🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪 #Georgia #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ONaT1e5dao
— Visioner (@visionergeo) June 26, 2024
Georgians celebrate into the night as their team progresses to the last 16 of the Euros
As soon as the referee blew the final whistle in Gelsenkirchen, people in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities poured onto the streets to celebrate their famous victory. The Novaya Europe… pic.twitter.com/AQN7SpBYFb— Novaya Gazeta Europe (@novayagazeta_en) June 27, 2024
Incredible scenes.
Georgia have made remarkable strides as a football nation in recent years, going from one of the whipping boys of European football to defeating one of the biggest teams in the world at a major tournament.
With this being the best story of Euro 2024 so far, you get the sense that quite a few neutrals will be cheering them on when they face Spain this weekend.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane Explains Why Georgia Are So Improved Compared To His Time With Ireland
