Few if any predicted Georgia's upset win over Portugal in the group stage of the 2024 European Championship. Led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2024 won its first match in a major competition with a 2-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. Georgia advanced to its debut knockout match with the win.

Although Portugal had already won the group and made eight changes to its starting lineup from a 3-0 win over Turkey, the Euro 2016 champions were still heavily favored. Georgia shocked them from the jump as Kvaratskhelia scored 92 seconds in for his first international goal of 2024.

The 23-year-old talked to Ronaldo before the match and got the legendary forward's jersey after. Playing against who he described as his boyhood idol motivated Kvaratskhelia, who said Wednesday was “the happiest day of my life” following the win.

“Before the match there was a meeting [with Ronaldo] and he wished me success; I'd never imagine he would come and talk to me,” Kvaratskhelia said, per Sam Marsden.

“He's a great player and a great person. That's why he's a great personality in and out of football; I have so much respect for him, he's one of the best players in the world.

“When he comes to talk to you before the match, that's amazing; that helped us believe we could do something today.”

Georgia did not qualify for Euro 2024 until March, winning one of the qualifying playoffs via penalties against Greece. A 3-1 defeat to Turkey in its opening match signaled Georgia was not ready for the limelight. A week later it's gearing up for a Round of 16 match against Spain.

Can Georgia carry momentum into knockouts?

Simply qualifying for the tournament was enough for Georgia. Now that they're past the group stage, why not try to stick around a bit longer?

Georgia has the longest odds to win its Round of 16 game against a formidable Spanish side that comes in among the favorites to win the tournament. The Spaniards won all three of their group stage matches without conceding a goal, the lone country to do either at Euro 2024.

Georgia and Spain met twice during qualifying for the tournament in 2023 with the two-time European champions having their way with Georgians. Spain won both matches by a combined score of 10-2.

Regardless of the odds and the history, the Georgia squad will feel as if they can beat anyone after topping Portugal. After arguably the biggest upset in UEFA European Championship history, Georgia is on top of the world.

“This is the best day in the lives of Georgian football fans. We've made history, no one would believe we'd make it happen,” Kvaratskhelia said. “No one would believe we could beat Portugal but that's why we're a strong team; if there's even a 1% chance, we've shown we can make it happen.”

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in his 65 minutes and did not score in either of Portugal's first two matches in the group stage. This is the first of 11 European Championships and World Cups that Ronaldo did not score in the group stage. Portugal will play Slovenia in the Round of 16 on July 1, one day after Georgia meets Spain.