Why Rafael Leao won’t play for Portugal against Georgia as AC Milan star creates unwanted history at European Championship

Portugal will be without Rafael Leao for their final group stage match against Georgia after creating unwanted history.

The AC Milan star started Portugal’s first two matches at Euro 2024 but will now be sidelined.

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Why isn’t Leao playing against Georgia?

The 25-year-old is suspended for Portugal’s final Group F clash against tournament debutants Georgia, live on talkSPORT 2.

Leao picked up his second booking of the tournament – ​​both for diving – during his team’s 3-0 win over Turkey.

UEFA rules state that if a player receives two yellow cards, he will be forced to miss his country’s next match.

Leao’s second booking for Euro 2024 against Turkey was for simulation following a challenge from Samet Akaydin.

Throwing himself onto the pitch to try to win a foul, the winger was immediately penalized for trying to deceive the referee.

After receiving a yellow card against the Czech Republic in his first Euro match for a similar infraction, Leao’s diving theater saw him create his own unwanted history.

Having been booked twice for simulation, the forward became the first player in European Championship history to do so in a single competition.

He will serve his one-match suspension for Portugal’s final group stage match against Georgia before returning to the round of 16.

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Fortunately for Roberto Martinez’s team, the match will not have much to play for.

After securing a 3-0 victory over Turkey on Saturday, Portugal sit top of Group F with six points from their opening two matches.

As well as meaning they are already through to the knockout stages, this puts them in a strong position to top the group.

Portugal will simply need to avoid defeat against Georgia to consolidate their top spot, a result which would allow them to secure an easier draw in the next round.

Finishing top of Group F would mean Portugal would face a team third in Group A, Group B or Group C, depending on who progresses in the table of third nations.

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