Soccer-Ronaldo starts for much-changed Portugal against Georgia


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group F - Turkey v Portugal - Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany - June 22, 2024 Young pitch invader takes a selfie with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo REUTERS/Carmen Jaspersen/File Photo

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Portugal coach Roberto Martinez rang the changes for his side's Group F clash against Georgia with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder Joao Palhinha and goalkeeper Diogo Costa the only players in the starting lineup who also began their previous match.

It was hardly a surprise, however, with Portugal already assured of winning the group after victories over the Czech Republic and Turkey. Martinez reverted to three at the back after using a four-man defence against Turkey.

At 39, Ronaldo would become the oldest player to score in a European Championship if he nets at Euro 2024, breaking the record set only a few days ago by 38 year-old Luka Modric of Croatia.

Georgia, who have one point, must win to reach the knockout stage. Manager Willy Sagnol made four changes to the side that draw 1-1 with the Czechs.

Georgia: Giorgi Mamardashvili; Guram Kashia (c), Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili, Giorgi Gvelesiani; Otar Kakabadze, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Otar Kiteishvili; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze.

Portugal: Diogo Costa; Antonio Silva, Danilo, Goncalo Inacio; Diogo Dalot, Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, Pedro Neto; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo (c)

(Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Ed Osmond and Hugh Lawson)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

   

Next In Football

Soccer-'We've already won the Euros' - Georgia boss says no pressure against perfect Spain
Soccer-UEFA's sustainability efforts paying off with reduced team air travel
Soccer-Belgians apologise after ‘funny’ Mbappe video backfires
Soccer-England keeper Earps to leave Manchester United
Soccer-Shaw's imminent return at left back could provide a missing piece for England
Soccer-Camavinga not happy on French bench but feels his time will come
Soccer-Pressure mounts as Ronaldo's Portugal brace for underdogs Slovenia
Soccer-Romania goalkeeper Nita hopes to avoid penalties against Netherlands
Soccer-Slovenia score most powerful goal, Denmark longest at Euros so far
Soccer-Maignan grabs the spotlight after emerging from Lloris's shadow

Others Also Read