Substitute Saba Lobjanidze missed a crucial opportunity for Georgia with the final kick of the game, as the debutants secured their first ever point in a major tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic.
Georgia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, took the lead in first-half stoppage time when striker Georges Mikautadze scored from the penalty spot.
Despite being the more dangerous side throughout, the Czech Republic—quarter-finalists three years ago—finally equalized when Patrik Schick scored after substitute Ondrej Lingr hit the post.
Schick then limped off with an injury, while Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made several crucial saves to ensure the draw.
In the dying seconds, Lobjanidze had another chance to score but fired over the bar in a three-on-one situation.
This result means both teams still have a chance to progress to the last 16 as they head into their final Group F matches on Wednesday.
‘The ones who never try will never miss’
Georgia won plenty of new fans, even if not points, with their free-flowing and fearless performance in their defeat by Turkey on their tournament debut. They came close to securing a famous first win in front of their enthusiastic supporters.
Despite being second-best throughout to a Czech side dominant on set-pieces, Georgia nearly snatched victory with a last-minute counterattack from a Czech corner. Saba Lobjanidze found himself free 12 yards from goal but fired over the top.
Manager Willy Sagnol, who played in a World Cup final for France and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich, said he “could not imagine” how the Atlanta United winger was feeling after the missed opportunity.
“The ones who never try will never miss, the best way to miss is to try,” Sagnol said.
“The players were disappointed after this massive opportunity but they got their first ever point at a major tournament.
“The whole team had words with him to try and make him feel better. The player is feeling very down at the moment but we will do everything to cheer him up.”
Wasted chances hamper Czechs
In truth, a defeat would have been harsh on the Czechs, who had 27 attempts on goal and forced Mamardasvili into a fine double save as early as the third minute.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick might have done better with that early chance, but another long throw from West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal soon created an opportunity, which Adam Hlozek bundled in at the second attempt. However, referee Daniel Siebert reviewed the play pitchside and ruled the goal out for handball.
A subsequent pitchside review awarded Georgia a penalty for handball against Robin Hranac, and Metz forward Georges Mikautadze calmly converted his second goal of the tournament.
The Czech Republic kept pressing and were eventually rewarded when substitute Ondrej Lingr finally beat Mamardasvili, who made 11 saves in the match, with a firm header that Schick was poised to chest over the line.
Ladislav Krejci squandered a similar chance moments later by heading wide, and Schick then limped off with an apparent calf injury that could be significant for the group’s conclusion next week.
The Czech Republic’s 12 shots on target are the most by a team that failed to win a match at the Euros since records began in 1980. They now face Turkey, while Georgia, ranked 74th by FIFA, take on Portugal, knowing that a win could see them through.
“When you are Georgia, you can’t pretend you can win the European Championship,” added Sagnol.
“Of course, if before the competition you would have told me you might play for qualification in the last match I would have signed immediately. We will play with ambition.”