Live Match Preview: Georgia vs Portugal
Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia believes his side are “more motivated” than Portugal to win their final group-stage match.
Roberto Martinez’s Portuguese side have already qualified as winners of Group F.
A win would realistically be needed for Georgia to progress. If the Czech Republic and Georgia both win, they will advance in second or third.
“Psychologically and motivation-wise, we are more motivated than Portugal because Portugal is already through to the round of 16,” Kvaratskhelia said.
Playing at their first European Championships, Georgia have one point to show from two promising performances.
Georgia boss Willy Sagnol is pleased with his side’s efforts so far.
“If, before the competition, we would have been told maybe on your third match you will still have the possibility to qualify, I think we would all have signed these documents immediately,” he said.
Ronaldo to start for Portugal
Portugal secured their place in the last 16 in style with a commanding 3-0 win over Turkey.
They will face the third-ranked team from Group A, B or C in Frankfurt on 1 July.
There is an opportunity to rest players but Martinez said he will start 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who could become the oldest player to score at the Euros.
“I can tell you that the captain will be in the starting XI, he played one preparation game, he had a very good season and he has played a lot of minutes,” the Portugal boss said.
“It’s important to maintain his competitive standard because starting and stopping isn’t any good for you as a player.”
Martinez’s side are 68 places above Georgia in the Fifa rankings, which is the biggest gap at the tournament.
He said going for the win “is important to maintain the integrity of the Euros”, adding: “It’s a very important game because this result will be crucial to determine who qualifies and who doesn’t.”
Team News
Portugal winger Rafael Leao is suspended for Wednesday’s match after receiving yellow cards in the opening two matches for simulation.
Midfielder Joao Palhinha could be rested to avoid picking up a suspension which would rule him out of the Selecao’s last-16 match.
Martinez has confirmed that goalkeeper Diogo Costa will start.
Georgia’s starting XI could remain unchanged with qualification on the line, but they have five players who could be suspended if they are booked.
How to follow Georgia v Portugal
This game is being shown on ITV1 (kick-off at 20:00 BST)
You can also listen to live commentary of this game on BBC Radio 5 Live and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and App.
Match Stats
- This will be the second match between Portugal and Georgia, after the Portuguese won a European Championship 2008 warm-up friendly by a 2-0 scoreline in May 2008.
- Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze can become the third player to score his team’s first three goals at a European Championship, after Gerd Muller (first three goals for (West) Germany in 1972) and Hristo Stoichkov (first three for Bulgaria in 1996).
- Portugal have qualified for the knockout stages in all of their nine appearances at the Euros, the longest 100% record in the competition’s history.
- Georgia have faced more shots (49) and more shots on target (20) than any other side in the opening two group games.
- Cristiano Ronaldo could become the first European player to make 50 appearances at major tournaments.
Excitement is building up as Georgia aims to secure a spot in the next round while Portugal seeks to maintain their winning streak. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between these two teams!