The 2023 EURO U21 is underway as Portugal was left stunned after they conceded two first-half goals to Georgia.
The 2023 UEFA Euro Under 21 Championship is underway and there’s plenty of action to bring you from the tournament which is being hosted in Romania and Georgia.
It is the 24th edition of the championships with Spain and England coming into the competition as two of the favourites to win.
Sixteen teams will play at the tournament which got underway in Georgia. The home side (Georgia) stunned Portugal to get off to clinch a historic win in Tbilisi.
Meanwhile, Ukraine also defied the odds to beat Croatia in what was an enthralling game, as Belgium and The Netherlands played out an end-to-end goalless draw, with neither side able to convert their chances.
Georgia 2-0 Portugal
The 2023 Euro U21 hosts got their tournament off on the right foot on Wednesday night after they upset the odds to beat Portugal 2-0 in the capital.
It was a fairy-tale debut at the Championship for the Crusaders, who have failed to qualify for the finals in all of their last 14 times of trying.
Giorgi Gagua broke the deadlock after 37 minutes, gliding the ball past Celton Biai in the net, to put the home side a goal up.
They’d be back again soon after, with Georgiy Tsitaishvili whipping a curling corner that was met by the head of Saba Sazonov who leaped into the air to head home, catching the goalkeeper off guard.
Things went from bad to worse in the second half for the Portuguese side after Tomas Araujo was shown a straight red card, bringing down Giorgi Gocholeishvili on the edge of the box as the last man.
Portugal had some familiar names in their squad, including Wolves’ forward Pedro Neto, Marseille full-back Nuno Tavares and 18-year-old prospect Joao Neves from Benfica.
But despite their quality, failed to convert their chances, with the young Selecao having the lion’s share of possession, goal attempts, and shots on target.
They had 17 goal attempts to Georgia’s four, with Neto and Neves both having chances throughout the game but Georgia’s defense outlasted them.
The Georgians will play Belgium next while Portugal will take on The Netherlands.