Georgia and Czechia both on the brink of Euro 2024 elimination after 1-1 draw

A 1-1 draw between Georgia and the Czech Republic left both on the verge of exiting Euro 2024 after two rounds of group matches.

Both teams lost on the first day of the tournament and would have been eliminated if they had lost on Saturday's second matchday in Hamburg.

But their hopes will survive the third day after playing a great game at the Volksparkstadion.

Bayer Leverkusen striker Adam Hlozek thought he had given the Czech Republic a goal midway through the first half when he bundled home a goal after Georgia failed to clear a long throw. However, the replays showed that the last ball came from Hlozek's arm after colliding with the goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the VAR was overruled by the goal.

Georgia threw away a good chance to go ahead just before the break when a similar swing in the Czechia box led to captain Guram Kashia being denied by the legs of Jindrich Stanek at point blank range. However, Robin Hranac was penalized for handball before the ball reached Kashia and they were awarded a point-kick instead.

Georges Mikautadze stepped up and scored to break the deadlock and Georgia went into the break with a goal.

Just before the hour mark, Czechia equalized. A deflected corner created chaos in the Georgia box and the ball rebounded off the post, but into the path of Patrik Schick, who deflected it over the line from close range.

Czechia bombarded Georgia with another aerial attack until the end of the game but could not find the winning goal, while they were almost beaten with the last kick of the game at the other end. A quick 95-minute breakaway ended with Giorgi Chakvetadze volleying home Saba Lobzhanidze, who somehow fired over from close range.

Both teams now go into the final round of group games needing a win to be in with a chance of reaching the Last 16 of Euro 2024 – Georgia face Portugal, and the Czech Republic face Turkey.

READ THE LATEST EURO 2024 NEWS, PREVIEWS AND PLAYER RATINGS