With a thɾilling 2-0 victory over Portugal on Wednesday, Georgia earned a legendary spot in the Euro 2024 knockout stages. As the group stage came to a close, Turkey, Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia all made it to the round of 16. Georgia, making its tournament debut at the European Championship, faced Portugal in Gelsenkirchen and had to win the match to advance to the round of sixteen. As the champions of Group F, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal had already advanced to the round of sixteen, and their coach, Roberto Martinez, had made eight changes to his squad.

Georgia’s star player, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli, scored a beautiful strike to put the team up in the first two minutes.

The game’s top scorer with three goals, Georges Mikautadze, set up that goal and made it 2-0 from the penalty spot early in the second half.

With 14 goals to his name in the Euros, the 39-year-old Ronaldo is still waiting for his first at this year’s tournament.

Georgia, rated 74th in the world, advanced as one of the top four third-placed teams and will now take on heavily favored Spain in the following round on Sunday in Cologne.