Georgia 1-1 Czechia: Patrik Schick scores equaliser from close range after Georges Mikautadze opened the scoring with a penalty as both sides are left waiting for their first win at Euro 2024

‘Make sure you put on a good show’. That was the message from Georgian boss Willy Sagnol ahead of their match against the Czech Republic. And they didn’t just do that.

In fact, the minnows, competing in their first European Championship, are quickly cementing their place as the tournament’s big entertainers.

They were brave and had an enthralling display in their group opener against Turkey, before the division gap was finally broken and they lost 3-1.

You wondered if the scars of that loss might keep them from coming here. After all, it was an energy-consuming, emotional bow to the European Championship. It is not easy for Sagnol to gather his troops and go again.

But for about 50 minutes, that’s exactly what they were able to do. For a while it looked like they would be rewarded for another eye-catching performance in the foreground, this time against the Czechs.

Schick found the net from close range as the Czech Republic came from behind to secure a point

Georges Mikautadze celebrates after his penalty gave Georgia the lead against the Czech Republic

Fortune also seemed to be on their side. First, VAR ruled out the Czech Republic’s opener from Adam Hlozek, who appeared to have given his side the lead in bizarre circumstances when his shot was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili and bounced off his head before falling into the net. The technology showed that the final touches were in fact Hlozek’s hand.

Georgia received another helping hand from VAR just before half time. Captain Guram Kashia squandered a great chance after being denied from close range by the feet of Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek.

But closer inspection revealed that the ball had clearly hit Robin Hranac’s arm on its way to Kashia and so referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot.

Mikautadze showed impressive composure from the spot as he put Georgia ahead

Adam Hlozek thought he had given the Czech Republic the lead, but his goal was disallowed for handball

Hlozek’s effort ended up in the back of the net, but it was not allowed to stand

Georgia’s Saba Lobjanidze missed an inviting chance in the closing stages of the match

Georges Mikautadze made no mistake from the spot and was soon lifted into the air and over the shoulder of a relieved Kashia.

But ultimately this test turned out to be a step too far. Thanks to the Georgians, who never stopped running or gave in. But for most of the second half, Sagnol’s men ran on empty. It became a game of attack versus defense.

They managed to hold off most of the Czech advances, but it was on the set-pieces where they looked most vulnerable.

And that became clear when substitute Ondrej Lingr headed Vladimir Coufal’s throw onto the post, making Patrik Schick his country’s top scorer at the European Championship with a simple tap.

Schick had to leave the field shortly afterwards due to a calf injury, but that did not stop his teammates from pushing for the equalizer.

Yet it was Georgia who almost won after five minutes of stoppage time, after taking advantage of their opponents’ gung-ho approach.

Watford’s Giorgi Chakvetadze led a blistering counter-attack, three Georgian strikers against just one Czech defender, before laying it on for Saba Lobjanidze.

Thousands of expectant Georgian fans stood behind the goal. Lobjanidze could only send them to cover after he side-footed the ball over the crossbar.

Lobjanidze was inconsolable, but the hopes of the lowest-ranked team in the tournament are still alive.