In an extraordinary turn of events, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli forward and Georgia’s undoubted star, fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing against Cristiano Ronaldo. On the eve of Georgia’s do-or-die final group game against already-qualified Portugal, Kvaratskhelia expressed his nerves and excitement, admitting, “I have always dreamed about playing against Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Kvaratskhelia, who grew up idolizing Ronaldo, adorned his bedroom walls with pictures of the Portuguese star and wears No.7 for his country as a tribute. “He was an idol for me. Ronaldo doesn’t play in Europe anymore and it’s nice to meet him at the national level, I’m motivated and I hope to have his shirt,” Kvaratskhelia shared.
As the countdown to kickoff ticked down in Gelsenkirchen, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. Lining up on opposite sides of the halfway line, Kvaratskhelia and Ronaldo shared a few complimentary words and a quick hug, showcasing mutual respect and admiration.
The game began with Portugal maintaining possession, looking to control the tempo. However, a shocking mistake by Benfica defender Antonio Silva handed Georgia an unexpected opportunity. Silva, under no pressure, gifted the ball to Georges Mikautadze on the halfway line. Mikautadze seized the moment, driving forward with Kvaratskhelia racing up to his left. With one perfect touch and a powerful strike, Kvaratskhelia sent the ball past Diogo Costa and into the far corner, igniting pandemonium among the Georgian fans.
The Veltins Arena erupted as Georgian players rushed towards their supporters. The roar of the crowd reverberated off all four sides of the stadium, with Georgians in the press box celebrating wildly. BBC Radio 5 Live’s Pat Nevin praised the goal, stating, “Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just slides the finish into the far post. Before it arrived at his feet, you knew he was going to score. Kvaratskhelia is not just a good goalscorer or good one on one but he has the pace to get in behind. He showed a clean pair of heels when he broke away. He is a real threat.”
Despite Ronaldo’s efforts to calm his teammates and remind them of their capabilities, the Portuguese team couldn’t recover. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat for Portugal, marking one of the biggest shocks in Euros history. Georgia’s victory secured them a place in the last 16, where they will face Spain.
For Kvaratskhelia, the match was a personal triumph, showcasing his talent on one of football’s biggest stages against his childhood hero. The young Georgian forward proved that dreams can indeed come true, and in doing so, etched his name into European Championship history.
