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That's all I've got for you from this game as Georgia deliver a shock win against Sweden who will now nervously watch on as Spain face Greece tonight.
I've been Noah Robson, thanks for following along with me tonight, I hope you enjoyed the coverage and I'll see you next time right here on VAVEL!
Sweden: What It Means
As for Sweden, they will come out of this game both hugely frustrated as well as very concerned about their chances for automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
They will watch on as Spain face Greece tonight and, if they win, they will leapfrog the Swedes to go into first place in the Group ahead of a huge match on Sunday night between the two teams.
A combination of poor finishing and weak defending ultimately cost the visitors tonight, which they’ll need to rapidly improve else their chances of going straight to the major tournament after this international break will be virtually none.
Georgia: What It Means
For Georgia, this was a performance which proved that, while they may not be going to the World Cup next year, they certainly have the potential to put in a good challenge for a major tournament during the next qualification phase.
At the back, they performed admirably, particularly Loria in the home side’s net as he made excellent saves time and time again, as well as watching on as members of his defence made match-saving blocks throughout.
Not only that, but Kvaratkshelia up front proved he can be the future of Georgia’s attack and, if this evening’s performance is anything to go by, he can be a major threat in years to come.
The best snaps from the match
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
All the statistics from the game
Georgia 2-0 Sweden
Shots: 9 - 20
On Target: 4 - 8
Possession: 40% - 60%
Corners: 5 - 8
Fouls: 15 - 12
Saves: 8 - 2
Yellow Cards: 3 - 1
A Famous Win
🇬🇪 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scores twice for Georgia against current Group B leaders Sweden! ⚽️⚽️#WCQ pic.twitter.com/u3zfClVAh5 — European Qualifiers (@EURO2024) November 11, 2021
Match Summary
Georgia picked up a win which will live long in the memory of the home side as they condemned Group B rivals Sweden to a 2-0 loss which could severely harm their chances of qualification for next year’s World Cup.
During the first half, Sweden found themselves with plenty of opportunities in front of the opposition goal, but for all their trying they couldn’t convert thanks to Loria and various Georgia defenders.
The away side came out again looking strong, but it was the hosts that found the opening goal as, after pinball in the penalty area, Kvaratskhelia eventually poked home to send the supporters in the stadium wild.
It was the 20-year-old attacker who got the second of the game as well, securing his country a famous win against a top quality opposition who will no doubt need to have a deep dissection of just what went wrong.
⚽️ ძდ: 🇬🇪 საქართველო 2⃣-0⃣ შვედეთი 🇸🇪
— Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) November 11, 2021
⚽️ FT: 🇬🇪 #GFF 2⃣-0⃣ Sweden 🇸🇪
😀 We end our 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a win!
😍 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's goals on 61' & 77' seal a deserved victory!
🤗 Giorgi Loria was superb in goal!#GFF #GEOSWE pic.twitter.com/302N2A7HHF
Player of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
There were plenty of fantastic performances from the home side in this one, right from the very front of the team to the back both defensively and going forwards at various times in the match.
However, the man who got both goals in the game, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, simply has to be the one picked out after an extremely impressive performance from someone who is still just 20 years old.
He took his two goals well, but particularly the second which was a cool, calm and composed finish after he had used his pace to break through one-on-one against the keeper, before doing the business for the hosts.
FULL TIME: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
And with that, the referee blows the full time whistle in this one, where Georgia put in an immense performance to beat Sweden 2-0, simultaneously putting a large dent in the away side’s qualification hopes for the World Cup next year.
The first half saw Sweden piling on the pressure but unable to find an opening goal despite multiple shots which were either saved well by Loria or blocked by a defender from the home side.
Georgia took the lead midway through the second 45 minutes via Kvaratskhelia and he scored again later in the half to secure a huge victory for the home side in the end.
90+2: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
Sweden have a free kick near the penalty area which is swung in but headed wide yet again by Ibrahimovic.
90: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
We're heading into the closing stages here and it really does not look as though it will be Sweden's night here.
The fourth official has just indicated there will be a minimum of four minutes of added time.
87: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
Isak departs for Karlsson as Sweden look to play one last roll of the dice in Batumi.
84: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
This has been an excellent performance from the home team, but equally a very poor showing from Sweden.
They've created chances, but a lack of clinical finishing has cost them here.
GOAL!: Georgia 2-0 Sweden
It's that man again!
Kvaratskhelia drives forward with pace and strength, breaking through on goal and absolutely lashes a shot home past Olsen.
This has been a brilliant performance from the hosts here.
76: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
That's an incredible save from Robin Olsen.
Kvaratskhelia cuts in onto his right foot and attempts to curl the ball into the top corner but the goalkeeper, at full stretch, tips it over, keeping his side in the game.
Moments later, from the corner, the ball is cleared away off the goal line!
All action here in Butami!
74: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
Claesson leaves the pitch for Kulusevski in the first change for the Swedes.
He'll still be rueing his missed opportunity earlier in this second half as he comes off.
73: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
Georgia push forward again and while Sweden are having more of the ball the home side don't look as though they're done scoring yet.
70: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
Tsitaishvili goes off for Davitashvili and Okriashvili also leaves the field in place of Volkov for the home side.
67: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
If anything, despite Georgia not being the team who desperately need to score, they are the ones pushing forward in a bold move by the hosts.
63: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
Sweden need to find a goal here or Spain can leapfrog them with a win against Greece tonight.
Big last third of the game coming up here in Georgia.
GOAL!: Georgia 1-0 Sweden
Unbelievable!
Okriashvili chips a ball over from a free kick which, after being scrambled around in the penalty area, is smashed home by Kvaratskhelia!
It's completely against the run of play but they've got themselves ahead and that could be devastating for Sweden!
60: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
It's quite astonishing that this game remains goalless after a plethora of chances, particularly for the away side early in this second half.
Half an hour remaining.
57: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Forsberg plays a fantastic ball over to Ibrahimovic who chests down well to Claesson who somehow fires wide, much to Georgia's relief.
53: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Ibrahimovic now has a go at a free kick from a little closer this time but it's a worse effort than his predecessor's as it flies wide of the post.
51: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Forsberg takes on a free kick from a long way out which gets on target but it just stings the clubs of Loria who then claims with ease.
47: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Augustinsson heads behind for a Georgia corner after the hosts have started this second half positively.
46: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
The game is back underway in Batumi with Georgia starting us off in this second half.
The stats at the break
Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Shots: 2 - 11
On Target: 0 - 6
Possession: 38% - 62%
Corners: 1 - 5
Fouls: 7 - 5
Saves: 6 - 0
Yellow Cards: 0 - 0
HALF TIME: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
That brings this first half to a close as the referee blows his whistle, and it was an entertaining first 45 minutes with chances for both sides.
The majority of those opportunities were for the visitors, but Sweden found their shots were denied again and again with a mixture of saves and blocks.
Georgia had chances of their own, including arguably the best of the match so far when Lobzhanidze couldn't quite find the net from a tight angle at close range.
42: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Ibrahimovic does brilliantly well to bring the ball down and get a shot away which is blocked spectacularly by Azarov.
It looked like handball initially but VAR says no.
39: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Suddenly a chance for Georgia almost out of nothing!
Kvaratskhelia puts the ball in across the box which Lobzhanidze smashes towards goal from a tight angle but it just flies past the post.
38: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Svanberg tries an effort from range but yet again Loria has it in his hands.
The Georgia keeper has been very impressive in this first half.
35: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Slightly quieter after that period of Sweden chances but it does feel like a goal may be coming before half time for one side.
31: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Isak gets in on goal but again Loria saves after a tame effort from the youngster.
28: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
More pinball in the Georgia penalty area as Loria spills it and Lindelof can't direct either of his two rebound efforts into the net.
27: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Ibrahimovic goes up for another header but Loria tips it over the bar.
There's been no shortage of chances for the Swedish striker.
23: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Isak plays a great ball over to Ibrahimovic but the 40-year-old heads it relatively weakly and allows Loria to save.
That was a big chance for the striker.
19: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Georgia do well to win a corner but it's poor from Okriashvili as it goes straight towards the goalkeeper who catches with ease.
18: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Olsson plays a ball into the box in the direction of Isak but the striker can't quite get a clean connection with his head.
17: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Sweden have been caught offside three times already here, they're really trying to play right on the line against what does look a well-organised Georgia defence.
14: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
An incredible double save from Loria!
Poor play at the back by Georgia sees Sweden virtually have an open goal that first Forsberg tries to score into and then Claesson but both efforts are saved.
14: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
The corner is swung in from the right but it's punched away well by Loria, clearing the danger for his side.
13: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Krafth puts in a ball from the wing which is cleared away for a corner, but that's more promising from Sweden.
10: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Now it's Sweden's turn to have an extended period of possession, pretty much for the first time in the match, and it ends with Alexander Isak almost being played through but he is just offside.
8: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
Sweden can't really get the ball off of their opponents for too long at the moment, with Georgia consistently winning it back each time.
5: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
There's an early chance for the home side but they can't quite materialise a clear shot.
It's a positive start from the hosts.
3: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
A good period of possession in the opening minutes for Georgia here, as both sides attempt to size one another up.
KICK OFF: Georgia 0-0 Sweden
The game is underway as the referee blows the whistle signalling Sweden to start the match, with the away side kicking from left to right.
Rousing national anthems
That national anthem from Georgia really was quite something ... incredible passion from the home fans and players alike.
100 Appearances for Kankava
Ahead of kick off, Jaba Kankava gets a special cap to mark the fact he has now reached 100 appearances for Georgia.
Unfortunately he's not going to add to that tally from the start here, with him instead being on the bench.
Teams emerge from the tunnel
The two sides have come out from the tunnel and are now lining up in preparation for the national anthems of each side.
Georgia players a little earlier on
⚽️ მატჩის დღე: 🇬🇪 საქართველო 🆚 შვედეთი 🇸🇪
⚽️ Match day: 🇬🇪 #GFF 🆚 Sweden 🇸🇪
🟩 ჩვენი გუნდი მოედანზეა
🟩 Inspecting the pitch #GFF #GEOSWE pic.twitter.com/cTALEohaxk — Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) November 11, 2021
Final Preparations
Both teams have headed back into their dressing rooms for the last tactics from the two respective managers and then they'll be back out to start the match!
25 minutes until kick-off
The game is getting closer in Georgia as the teams near the conclusion of their warm ups.
Stay right here on this live blog for all the latest updates throughout the match!
A look inside the home team's dressing room
⚽️ მატჩის დღე: 🇬🇪 საქართველო 🆚 შვედეთი 🇸🇪
⚽️ Match day: 🇬🇪 #GFF 🆚 Sweden 🇸🇪
🔴⚪️ ჩვენი გუნდის გასახდელი
🔴⚪️ Inside our dressing room! #GFF #GEOSWE pic.twitter.com/P31Z7ri6rU — Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) November 11, 2021
Mood among Sweden fans...
ZLATAN COMEBACK pic.twitter.com/quFWjImvKe — Wucas🐐 #JusticeForRiqui (@FutureOfRiqui) November 11, 2021
Am so happy that our 🦁 zlatan ❤️ is playing for the national Team ❤️ That makes me so happy 😊
— Hanita Berry (@Priyaya420) November 11, 2021
Thank you zlatan ❤️
Reminder: Sweden One To Watch
After his performances that caught many people's eyes in the summer tournament of Euro 2020 earlier this year, the player to watch from the visitors for me is Alexander Isak.
Still only 22 years of age, the striker has notched a goal nearly every three games for his country, an extremely impressive statistic when you consider the quality of opposition he has gone up against.
Not only that, but he already has five goals this season for his club, Real Sociedad, so there's no doubting that he's fully in-form for this European clash.
Reminder: Georgia One To Watch
From Georgia, there's not too many candidates in terms of particularly exciting individual performances, especially based on the last few games they've played in qualification.
However, I have picked one player out and that's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the winger who has scored three goals in the eight appearances he has made for his country.
The 20-year-old only made his debut in 2019, but has looked like one of the country's most promising assets, so keep an eye out for the Rubin Kazan player against Sweden.
Georgia Starting XI
And here's the English version!
⚽️: 🇬🇪 #GFF 🆚 Sweden 🇸🇪
— Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) November 11, 2021
📜 Our team! 🇬🇧
1⃣ Giorgi Loria 🧤
2⃣ Otar Kakabadze
3⃣ Davit Khotcholava
4⃣ Guram Kashia ©️
🔟 Tornike Oqriashvili
1⃣1⃣ Saba Lobzhanidze
1⃣5⃣ Irakli Azarovi
1⃣6⃣ Nika Kvekveskiri
1⃣8⃣ Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
1⃣9⃣ Giorgi Ts'it'aishvili
2⃣1⃣ Vako Gvilia pic.twitter.com/NjrYFfazA2
Georgia Starting XI ... I think
⚽️ მატჩის დღე: 🇬🇪 საქართველო 🆚 შვედეთი 🇸🇪
📜 ჩვენი შემადგენლობა 🇬🇪
#GFF #GEOSWE pic.twitter.com/hE24EG5YpT — Georgia • GFF (@GeorgiaGff) November 11, 2021
The venue for tonight
It really is a wonderful stadium in Batumi at the Adjarabet Arena which only opened last year.
I'll have the Georgia team for you in any moment now.
Embed from Getty ImagesSweden Starting XI
Herrlandslagets startelva i viktiga VM-kvalmatchen mot Georgien! 🙌🇸🇪
Klockan 18.00 kör vi i TV4/Cmore och Radiosporten 🔥 — Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) November 11, 2021
Ten minutes until team news!
Not long to go until we get the starting elevens from both managers in Georgia for this World Cup Qualifying match...
Reminder!
You can follow the game live right here on this live blog, with coverage starting around an hour before kick off on VAVEL!
Tune in here for Georgia vs Sweden
That rounds up all of the pre-live action for the game tomorrow night, so I'll see you right here on this page from just over an hour before kick off for all the build-up to this one.
Do not miss a detail of the match Georgia vs Sweden live updates and commentaries of VAVEL.
What time does the game kick-off across the world?
- India: 10:30 PM
- South Africa: 7:00 PM
- Australia (Sydney): 4:00 AM
- Japan: 1:00 AM
- USA (New York): 12:00 PM
🛫🇬🇪 — Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) November 10, 2021
What time does the game kick-off?
This game can be watched for all those subscribed to Sky Sports in the UK as it broadcasts almost all of the European World Cup Qualifying matches on its red button feature.
The match itself is scheduled to get underway at 5:00 PM GMT, which will be 8:00 PM local time in Batumi meaning a game under the lights.
If you want to follow text-based commentary, you can always stay with this live blog where there will be regular updates right throughout the 90 minutes tomorrow night.
Georgia vs Sweden Prediction
While it would be nice to see a very competitive game between two sides both desperate for a win in their own right, the context of the group standings mean this is unlikely.
Also, due to the gulf in class between the teams, it appears as though there will only be outcome in this game, that being a win for the visitors ahead of their big game against Spain on Sunday.
Therefore, I'm going to go with a comfortable 3-0 win for the Swedes who, while they won't necessarily find this game comfortable, should get past it relatively easily in the end.
Latest games between Georgia and Sweden
As it turns out, with Georgia's first ever competitive match coming relatively recently (in football terms, at least) in 1990, there has only ever been one game between these two sides in history.
That came earlier this year, in the reverse fixture in this World Cup Qualifying Group, as Georgia travelled to Sweden on match day one of this tournament.
During that game, it was Viktor Claesson of Sweden who got the only goal of the game, as the home team won 1-0 in a tightly-fought affair between the countries.
Key Player from Sweden - Alexander Isak
After his performances that caught many people's eyes in the summer tournament of Euro 2020 earlier this year, the player to watch from the visitors for me is Alexander Isak.
Still only 22 years of age, the striker has notched a goal nearly every three games for his country, an extremely impressive statistic when you consider the quality of opposition he has gone up against.
Not only that, but he already has five goals this season for his club, Real Sociedad, so there's no doubting that he's fully in-form for this European clash.
Key Player from Georgia - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
From Georgia, there's not too many candidates in terms of particularly exciting individual performances, especially based on the last few games they've played in qualification.
However, I have picked one player out and that's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the winger who has scored three goals in the eight appearances he has made for his country.
The 20-year-old only made his debut in 2019, but has looked like one of the country's most promising assets, so keep an eye out for the Rubin Kazan player against Sweden.
Embed from Getty ImagesProbable line-ups of Sweden
Team News of Sweden
- Ken Sema has withdrawn from the squad due to an injury
- Suspended due to too many bookings will be Albin Ekdal
- Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to the squad after being unavailable during October's international break
Predicted XI
Olsen; Krafth, Danielsson, Nilsson, Augustinsson; Claesson, K. Olsson, Cajuste, Forsberg; Quaison, Isak
Probable line-ups of Georgia
Team News of Georgia
- Guram Giorbelidze will be out after picking up too many bookings in qualification
- For the same reason, Lasha Dvali won't be available
- No other major injury or suspension concerns for Willy Sagnol
Predicted XI
Loria; Kakabadze, Kashia, Khocholava; Lobzhanidze, Gvilia, Kvekveskiri, Azarovi; Tsitaishvili, Okriashvili, Kvaratskhelia
Who is the referee and his assistants?
The referee for Georgia vs Sweden will be Serdar Gozubuyuk and his assistants are Joost van Zuilen and Johan Balder.
The fourth official is Jeroen Manschot, the VAR is Jochem Kamphuis and his assistant will be Sander Van Der Eijk.
Sweden: Warming up to the big one
While this is a must-win game in and of itself for Sweden, with them just two points ahead of top-spot rivals Spain, they can't secure qualification with a win in Georgia.
Instead, they'll need to hope that Spain fail to win away to Greece, or it will be a decider on Sunday evening as they travel to Seville for a huge qualification fixture.
The toughness of World Cup Qualifying is that only first place in each group is guaranteed to go to the tournament, with a second place finish being rewarded with play-off rounds.
Georgia: Heads Held High
For Georgia, owing to the fact they are now seven points behind second-placed Spain with only one match remaining, their hopes of World Cup Qualification are over.
That said, they will hope to finish their year with a win, especially against such a strong side in the form of their opponents tomorrow night, Sweden.
It will not be easy whatsoever, with the home side having scored four and conceded 12 in this qualification group, but they'll stay optimistic throughout the game.
The match will be played at the Adjarabet Arena
The Georgia vs Sweden match will be played at the stadium Adjarabet, in Batumi with a capacity of 20,000 people.
It's a very modern stadium, opening in July 2020 and looks spectacular from the exterior, with impressive-looking architecture all the way around the ground.
It has predominantly hosted matches of the club who play there in the form of FC Dinamo Batumi but has also seen two international matches played there too, against Kosovo and Greece.
Welcome to VAVEL.com's coverage of the 2021 World Cup Qualifying match: Georgia vs Sweden Live Updates!
My name is Noah Robson and I'll be your host for this game.
We will provide you with pre-game analysis, score updates and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.
Follow along for all the latest in this World Cup Qualifying match in Batumi.