With the majority of the top teams yet to fully kick into gear so far in Germany, prior to Wednesday’s result, Portugal looked one of the competition’s better sides following 2-1 and 3-0 wins.
However, the Euro 2016 champions were far from their best on matchday three, as they were defeated 2-0 by Georgia, who secured their place in the round of 16 despite being the competition’s lowest-ranked side at 74.
Georgia opened the scoring inside two minutes following an error from Antonio Silva, who gifted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia an opportunity he could not turn down.
The underdogs got their second from the penalty spot, as tournament top scorer Georges Mikautadze slotted past Diogo Costa in the 57th minute.
Portugal’s defeat could be put down to the fact they were already guaranteed to finish top of their group and made significant changes with only Ronaldo, Diogo Costa, and Joao Palhinha keeping their place.
Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, was substituted in the 66th minute to save him for the knockout stages, but in leaving the field the 39-year-old lost one of his most long-standing records.
Until Euro 2024 Ronaldo had netted in every single major tournament group stage he had played in, from Euro 2004 to the World Cup in Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo- Getty
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was even the top scorer at the last Euro tournament in 2021 through the goals he grabbed in the groups.
Whether that record was on his mind or he was simply disappointed with his nation’s performance, the superstar certainly vented his frustrations following his substitution.
The Al-Nassr forward was seen swiping at the air as he left the field with Portugal down 2-0.
