(Football news) With one game remaining, the Selecao’s consecutive victories against Turkey and the Czech Republic have guaranteed them a spot in the knockout stages, while the Crusaders are aware that an improbable three points will be all it takes to get out of the group.
After defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the final seconds of their debut encounter at the European Championships this summer, Portugal became one of just three countries to win their first two games, along with Spain and Germany. On Saturday night, the Selecao defeated a weak Turkey team in Dortmund.
Mirroring his excellent performances as part of Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva fired Portugal ahead in the 21st minute, before a comical own goal from Turkey’s Samet Akaydin ensured that Roberto Martinez’s men were two in front at the half-time whistle.
Highlights of the second period at Signal Iduna Park included Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes extending his side’s advantage to three just prior to the half mark, alongside numerous occasions when supporters invaded the pitch to snap a picture with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Real Madrid star will make his 50th appearance at a major tournament for Portugal should he feature against Georgia on Wednesday evening, when the Selecao could be off the boil slightly considering that they have already wrapped up the title of Group F winners.
That being said, Martinez’s troops will remain a stern test for Georgia regardless of section permutations, with Portugal winning 15 and losing just two of their 17 international contests since exiting the 2022 World Cup at the hands of Morocco during the quarter-final stage.
After pushing Turkey all the way during their Group F opener but ultimately falling short on the day, Georgia recorded their first-ever point at a major tournament in their second match, with the Crusaders forcing the Czech Republic to share the spoils at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Saturday afternoon.
Netting for the second time in as many Euro matches – keeping up his unlikely pursuit of the competition’s Golden Boot – Ajax marksman Georges Mikautadze put Georgia ahead with a penalty in the closing stages of the first half, but Narodak restored parity in the second period courtesy of Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick.
In breaching the net of Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek, Metz loanee Mikautadze became only the sixth player to score the first two goals for his country at a major tournament, and the first since Andriy Shevchenko managed the commendable feat for Ukraine in 2012.
Heading into a crunch clash on Wednesday night, the Crusaders face an uphill task in making it out of their European Championships section at the first time of asking, with Willy Sagnol’s side realistically requiring three points in order to at least finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
Wednesday’s meeting in the mining city of Gelsenkirchen will be only the second between Portugal and Georgia, with the Selecao winning a friendly fixture against the Crusaders back in 2008, when former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfield Joao Moutinho and Simao made the net ripple.
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