"VAR was not consistent" - Roberto Martinez insists Portugal should've been awarded penalty for foul on Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has claimed the Selecao should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo in their Euro 2024 clash with Gerorgia on Wednesday, June 26.
Speaking to the media at the post-match press conference, Martinez opined that VAR was inconsistent as Georgia were awarded a penalty but Portugal were denied the same, despite it being more of a penalty.
"We weren't lucky and then the VAR was not consistent, because there's a situation with Cristiano. We're talking about what VAR can do. You can look back and give a penalty. The situation in the 27th minute is even clearer, more of a penalty than the one we suffered," he said.
Martinez also explained how Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's early goal allowed Georgia to sit back and defend their lead.
"Conceding the goal early gave us energy, strength and belief... The goal is a factor. We continued to try to control the game, but when the opponent has an advantage to defend it's different. They have belief and strength. We started and it was another game, it wasn't a game that we needed to win," he added.
Martinez described the match as the worst result for Portugal but quickly pivoted his attention to the Round of 16. He also praised Georgia's players, particularly goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili's energy and performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo's appeal for a penalty was denied in Portugal's clash against Georgia
In the 27th minute of the game, with Georgia leading 1-0, Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to get on the end of a cross. However, defender Luka Lochoshvili held him by his shirt and pulled him down as the follow-up shot missed the target by a whisker.
Ronaldo complained to the referee, demanding a penalty but was instead shown a yellow card for dissent, leaving the Portugal captain fuming.
Despite the 2-0 loss to Georgia, Ronaldo's Portugal have qualified for the Euro 2024 knockout stages after topping Group F with six points. They will face Slovenia in the Round of 16 on July 1.