Cristiano Ronaldo was outshone by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as Portugal lost 2-0 to Georgia at Euro 2024. Ronaldo's frustration was evident as he was substituted early, while Antonio Silva's errors proved costly. Manager Roberto Martinez's decisions were questioned as Portugal's title hopes took a hit.
Cristiano Ronaldo was expected to shine in Portugal's clash against Georgia at Euro 2024, but it was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who stole the spotlight in a 2-0 victory for Georgia. Ronaldo, visibly frustrated, was substituted after 65 minutes, moments after a Georgian player playfully taunted him.
Kvaratskhelia dazzled with his performance, scoring the opening goal and continuously troubling Portugal’s defense. He left the field to loud applause, having showcased his skills in a manner reminiscent of a young Ronaldo. His efforts were well-supported by Georges Mikautadze, who earned Georgia’s second goal through a penalty, drawn by a foul from Portugal’s Antonio Silva.
Silva endured a nightmarish match. His poor pass allowed Kvaratskhelia to score early on, and his clumsy challenge led to the penalty that sealed Portugal’s fate. Silva was substituted, looking dejected, having been a major liability for his team.
Other notable performances included Diogo Costa, who was helpless against both goals and Danilo Pereira, who had a solid game in defense. Diogo Dalot was one of the few bright spots for Portugal, showing urgency and forcing some good saves from the Georgian goalkeeper.
In midfield, Joao Palhinha was replaced at halftime for the second game in a row, while Joao Neves and Pedro Neto failed to make significant impacts. Up front, Francisco Conceicao and Joao Felix were ineffective, and Ronaldo’s frustration was evident as he failed to score in a major tournament group stage for the first time in his career.
Manager Roberto Martinez faced criticism for his team selection and strategy, particularly for starting a fatigued Ronaldo. His decisions raised questions about his ability to harness the potential of Portugal's talented squad.
