2023-09-24 02:54:57
In the 2nd minute of this Georgia-Portugal, it was easier to predict a Portuguese rout rather than a historic victory. Akaki Tabutsadze had just scored a try converted by Tedo Abzhandadze (2nd) and Portugal was already relegated to seven points behind Georgia. 80 minutes later, Nuno Guedes has the victory penalty at the end of his shoe. Off-center on the right thirty meters from the poles, the Portuguese full-back hit his attempt to the left of the posts, burying the dreams of a first World Cup success.
The Wolves nevertheless snatched their first draw in the competition (18-18). The Lelos dominated the first period until Raffaele Costa Storti’s try (34th). The Wolves winger gave his team momentum for a second act, this time, largely to the advantage of the Portuguese. The Georgians only saw the opposing goal again in the 78th minute, just to equalize with a cruel try for the Lusitanians. In the meantime, Costa Storti, the dazzling Portuguese winger, had scored his double. Insufficient to secure the four points of victory.
Un XV made in France
Portugal’s history in the Rugby World Cup has so far consisted of an encouraging defeat against Wales (28-8) last week and, above all, a 0 win/4 loss during their first World Cup in 2007. It was already in France and they had notably suffered a scathing defeat against New Zealand (108-13).
But this Saturday, they shone in the Pink City to thrill their supporters. Emotions made in France. Beyond the coach, Patrice Lagisquet, former coach of Biarritz and the French team, the Portuguese squad is in fact largely made up of players established in the first two French divisions. Hooker Mike Tadjer plays in Perpignan, Francisco Fernandes, Samuel Marques and Costa Storti in Béziers or Pedro Bettencourt in Oyonnax.
Of the 15 starters against Lelos, 10 currently play for a French club. So they were almost at home, but they ultimately failed to make history. Or, at least, not as much as they could have hoped 5 minutes from the end of the game. It may be complicated to remedy this between now and the end of the World Cup. The Wolves still have to challenge Australia and Fiji. The Welsh coach had also compared the Lobos to the spectacular Fijians after their confrontation: “They play a lot of rugby, they like to move the ball around”. They showed it against Georgia. Failing one breath away from victory and history.
#Rugby #World #Cup #Portugal #meters #historic #victory #Georgia