As It Happened: Georgia pick up famous win against Sweden

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.

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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.

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Shots: 9 - 20

On Target: 4 - 8

Possession: 40% - 60%

Corners: 5 - 8

Fouls: 15 - 12

Saves: 8 - 2

Yellow Cards: 3 - 1

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.

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.

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The fourth official has just indicated there will be a minimum of four minutes of added time.

They've created chances, but a lack of clinical finishing has cost them here.

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!

He'll still be rueing his missed opportunity earlier in this second half as he comes off.

Big last third of the game coming up here in Georgia.

Half an hour remaining.

Shots: 2 - 11

On Target: 0 - 6

Possession: 38% - 62%

Corners: 1 - 5

Fouls: 7 - 5

Saves: 6 - 0

Yellow Cards: 0 - 0

It looked like handball initially but VAR says no.

Kvaratskhelia puts the ball in across the box which Lobzhanidze smashes towards goal from a tight angle but it just flies past the post.

The Georgia keeper has been very impressive in this first half.

There's been no shortage of chances for the Swedish striker.

That was a big chance for the striker.

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.

It's a positive start from the hosts.

Unfortunately he's not going to add to that tally from the start here, with him instead being on the bench.

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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.

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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.

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I'll have the Georgia team for you in any moment now.

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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.