It was a heartbreaking trip to Georgia for Luxembourg. After having been dominated and losing 1-0 at half-time, Luc Holtz’s team came out of the locker room with every intention of getting back into the game.
In fact, it didn’t take the Luxembourgers more than six minutes to equalize on a wonderful strike by Gerson Rodrigues. And then, as a glimmer of hope could was forming in the eyes of Luxembourgish supporters, Spanish referee José María Sánchez raised his arms, signaling a VAR check.
The reason: a contentious play which had taken place mere moments earlier, when a Georgian player fell down at the edge of Luxembourg’s box, sandwiched by two defenders. The outcome: a foul was given, Maxime Chanot was sent off, and the goal that we all thought just happened - didn’t.
The match quickly turned into a nightmare for Luc Holtz’s men. Being one-man up, the Georgians pushed forward until they found the gap yet again, making it 2-0 after an hour of play.
Zivzivadze, who had already left his mark at the end of the first half, found the back of the net yet again. This proved to be too much for the Red Lions to overcome. The passion of the first moments gave way to despair. The Luxembourgers kept trying, but their spirits had taken a blow.
And who can blame them? The chaotic events of the second half could have discouraged any player. For their part, Willy Sagnol’s men did not take any risks and comfortably managed the rest of the match. A few chances were created as the game wound down, but the ball never got too close to the goal.
The Red Lions might be left wondering what could have happened, had they come out stronger in the first half, but nobody can say they didn’t give everything when they came back.
