As the streets of Tbilisi erupted in celebration, Georgia star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was left in no doubt about the magnitude of their famous win over Portugal on Wednesday night.
“This the best day in the lives of Georgians,” said Kvaratskhelia after a 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen sealed a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
“We just made history. Nobody believed we would defeat Portugal, but this is why we’re a strong team. We just encourage each other and said that we could do it.
“Even if there is just a one per cent chance, we proved that you can make it happen. I’d love to see what’s happening in Tbilisi.”
Georgia only qualified for Euro 2024 through the Nations League, beating Greece on penalties to earn a first tournament spot since declaring independence in 1992. They have now set up a last-16 tie against Spain on Sunday.
“The boys really gave us a miracle,” said the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. “Everyone deserves more than thanks. It’s a wonder. They fought until the end and, apart from the fight, it was proven once again that Georgians have football talent.”
Kvaratskhelia set Georgia on their way on Wednesday night with a goal inside 92 seconds. The Napoli winger finished off a swift counter and his pace caused Portugal problems all night. A second-half penalty from Georges Mikautadze gave them a two-goal buffer.
Images of Georgia players celebrating will be one of the lasting memories of these Euros. Afterwards, Kvaratskhelia swapped shirts with his hero Cristiano Ronaldo and the team danced out of the dressing room and onto their bus.
Portugal made eight changes, with manager Roberto Martinez making use of the fact they had already claimed top spot in Group F.
But captain Ronaldo still led the line and Joao Felix and Pedro Neto were among the players brought into what was still a strong Portugal side.
“Football has made a lot of stories like that, when you think you are winning and lose in the last minute — Bayern against [Manchester] United [in 1999] comes to mind,” he said. “I was watching the time, every 10 seconds, and in the end just felt very empty.”
Georgia will, of course, be huge underdogs against Spain, who are many people’s favourites after excelling in the group stage, but they have shown they are a dangerous opponent in a one-off knockout game.
They are defensively solid, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili one of their standout performers, and that allows them to soak up pressure before hitting teams on the break.
Georgia’s victory may have been counter-attacking, but it was not backs-to-the-wall, because they were so willing to get on the front foot.
Portugal experienced that first-hand last night and, while Kvaratskhelia deservedly picked up the man-of-the-match award, he is not alone in attack.
Forward Mikautadze has been electric and is now the top scorer at the tournament with three goals.
Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze has also performed well and further strengthened the belief that Georgia are not simply a one-man team.
“There was no individual best player today,” said Kvaratskhelia. “It was the team, and we proved to everybody that we can really play.”
Portugal manager Martinez conceded their unfancied opponents had shown an “incredible belief” and “deserved the credit”.
Georgia head into their showdown against Spain with nothing to lose. Back in Tbilisi, with the dust settling on Thursday morning and order returning, minds were already turning to Sunday and the chance to cause another shock.
Judging by the scenes on Wednesday night, it will be some party if the unthinkable happens.
