Match Prediction: Georgia vs Portugal UEFA European Championship 2024
The European Championships 2024 are arguably more competitive than they have ever been, with a high number of games being hard to call. This game, however, is one of those rare occasions when the world expects one team to win while the other needs to relish in their role as the underdog.
These games can often be thrilling, with one team sitting back for the entire game while the other desperately attempts to score. We don't mean to do Georgia a disservice since they have some players capable of lighting up this tournament themselves. But it's fair to say this will go down as one of the great shocks in Euro 2024 history if Georgia were able to walk away with something from this game.
How did they qualify?
In qualifying, Georgia gained points against Scotland, Norway, and Cyprus, though they suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat at home to Spain. Nevertheless, they etched their name in history during the playoffs by defeating Luxembourg and the 2004 champions Greece, the latter in a nail-biting penalty shootout, to qualify for their first-ever major finals as an independent nation.
On October 13, Portugal, under the leadership of their new coach Roberto MartÃnez, secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over their main Group J rivals Slovakia, clinching their spot in the finals. Cristiano Ronaldo will make his sixth EURO finals appearance in Germany, where he currently holds the awe-inspiring records for the most goals (14) and most appearances (25) in the tournament's history.
Team Analysis
Sometimes, imagining how a game will play out can be difficult. This, however, is not one of those occasions. The likelihood is that Georgia will adopt a defensive approach while this Portuguese side will spend the majority of time trying to break this team down.
It will likely resemble a training session, with a very talented Portuguese side with plenty of attacking flair tasked with breaking down a Georgian side that should be fighting for its lives. I know it's cliche, but this match could be considered a traditional David vs. Goliath clash.
Players to watch
Portugal has a fantastic squad of players. We could highlight several players for special praise, but we have selected one man who has played a huge part in Manchester City's recent historic success.
- Bernardo Silva: The small maestro is a joy to watch. Under Pep Guardiola, he has become a sensation and often underrated part of an all-conquering Manchester City side.
Georgia's national team is limited in terms of quality; therefore, they will be relying on players who have made an impact at the highest level domestically.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: In the 22/23 season, Napoli claimed their first domestic title in more than 30 years, and this man played a pivotal role in their success. Quick and skilful, he can turn any game on his head.
Prediction
This is one of the easiest games in the group to predict. Georgia has done very well to qualify for this tournament, and credit to them, but this Portugal team has genuine world-class talent, and we feel it is not a matter of if they will win; it is a matter of when.