Georgia scored a clear victory against the Czech Republic in the opening match of the Nations League. The European Championship round of 16 team impressed with quick counterattacks and beautiful goals.
Brought his Georgians to victory: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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The two teams had only met in the group stage of the European Championship in June (1:1), and now Georgia and the Czech Republic are facing off again in the Nations League. Willy Sagnol sent the same team onto the field as in the last competitive match, the 1:4 defeat against Spain in the round of 16 of the European Championship. Compared to the 1:2 defeat against Turkey in the last group match of the European Championship, the Czech Republic brought in six new players to the starting eleven, including Leverkusen’s Kovar and Schick and Gladbach’s Cvancara.
The guests from the Czech Republic got off to a better start in the match and pushed into the Georgian half. Schick had the first good chance when he rose to head the ball, but was stopped by Georgian keeper Mamardashvili (7′).
After a bumpy start, Georgia found their way into the game and into their fast-paced forward play. A lot of the ball went through Napoli’s Kvaratskhelia, and through Chakvetadze (22′) and Kochorashvili’s dangerous shot from a turn (28′), the hosts gradually came closer and took control of the game more and more.
Georgia leads thanks to Kvaratskhelia – and turns up the heat after the break
After just over half an hour, the home team took the lead: Kvaratskhelia’s dribbling was ended by Krejci with a foul in the Czech penalty area. The fouled player stepped up and scored (33′).
Even after the break, the Czech Republic made little effort to make up the deficit. They lacked both offensive threat and defensive stability – and the guests continued to be vulnerable to Georgian counterattacks. The Czechs were unable to find a way to stop Chakvetadze in the 53rd minute and the midfielder made it 2-0 after a quick solo run.
After just over an hour, things got interesting: First, Mikautadze scored the 3-0 with a volley (63′), shortly afterwards Kochorashvili increased the lead with a header and a lob from Chakvetadze (66′). The game was decided, but the Czechs still had the final point: Kalvach’s volley hit just under the crossbar (80′). But the goal did nothing to change the bitter defeat at the start of the Nations League.
Next Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) both teams will continue in the Nations League: Georgia will play away against Albania, the Czech Republic will host Ukraine.
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