Lithuania 0-2 Georgia: Mikautadze delivers in Kaunas
Georgia left Kaunas with a controlled 2-0 victory on Sunday, the latest proof that W. Sagnol has a reliable match-winner in Georges Mikautadze and a structure that travels well. Lithuania, directed by E. Jankauskas, never found a route through and closed the night with ten men after Gvidas Gineitis was dismissed in stoppage time.
The first half stayed tight, almost deliberately so. Lithuania clogged central areas with Modestas Vorobjovas and Gineitis shielding the back line, while Justas Lasickas followed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s runs. Cards arrived before chances: Artemijus Tutyškinas was booked on the half-hour for a clumsy check, then Gizo Mamageishvili received a caution at 37 minutes as Georgia tried to quicken transitions. Much of the play unfolded between the penalty areas, with the tempo broken by free-kicks and recycling passes.
E. Jankauskas launched a triple change in the 62nd minute, sending on Deividas Šešplaukis for Gratas Sirgėdas, Edgaras Dubickas for Armandas Kučys, and Lukas Michelbrink for Modestas Vorobjovas in search of a spark. Instead the contest tilted the other way. Lithuania’s reshuffle opened pockets that Sagnol’s front line exploited immediately, with Georgia establishing longer spells of possession through Anzor Mekvabishvili recycling play and Giorgi Chakvetadze drifting inside to dictate angles.
The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute. Georgia’s press forced panic in the Lithuanian box, the referee pointed to the spot, and Mikautadze converted the penalty with his usual cold focus. Lithuania’s yellow card count climbed again on 68 and 69 minutes for Šešplaukis and Pijus Širvys as Georgia started to pin back the full-backs.
Sagnol responded on 75 minutes by introducing Georgiy Tsitaishvili, Nika Gagnidze, and Luka Lochoshvili for Irakli Azarovi, Zuriko Davitashvili, and Lasha Dvali. The triple switch locked down the flanks and gave Tsitaishvili licence to run at tired legs. Mikautadze sealed it in the 84th minute with a finish from open play, arriving in stride to complete a move stretched by Chakvetadze and Kvaratskhelia. A minute later Georgia added fresh legs, with Giorgi Kvernadze replacing Mikautadze and Giorgi Gocholeishvili and Budu Zivzivadze coming on for Luka Gadrani and Chakvetadze.
Lithuania’s night deteriorated in stoppage time. Gineitis, already cautioned in the 79th minute, lunged once more at 90+3 and received a second yellow followed by a red. His dismissal underlined a frustrated evening for a midfield that could not keep the ball long enough to trouble Giorgi Mamardashvili. Late introductions of Zygimantas Baltrunas and Klaudijus Upstas in the 89th minute were damage limitation, nothing more.
Georgia’s clarity stood out. Mikautadze’s double highlighted how Sagnol has built a side that shifts gears quickly when space appears, with Chakvetadze connecting midfield to attack and the wide players holding width until the decisive moment. Lithuania laboured in a narrow shape that never released Kučys, and the moment the press lost intensity Georgia struck. The match film also shows why Sagnol trusts his bench: Tsitaishvili’s cameo pinned Lithuania deeper, while Lochoshvili’s arrival stabilized the back line after Dvali’s withdrawal.
Key events
- 30th minute: Yellow card for Artemijus Tutyškinas
- 37th minute: Yellow card for Gizo Mamageishvili
- 62nd minute: Lithuania brought on Deividas Šešplaukis, Edgaras Dubickas, and Lukas Michelbrink
- 64th minute: Iva Gelashvili replaced Ilia Beriashvili
- 68th minute: Yellow card for Deividas Šešplaukis
- 69th minute: Yellow card for Pijus Širvys
- 70th minute: Georges Mikautadze scored a penalty
- 75th minute: Georgia introduced Georgiy Tsitaishvili, Nika Gagnidze, and Luka Lochoshvili
- 79th minute: Yellow card for Gvidas Gineitis
- 79th minute: Meinardas Mikulenas replaced Motiejus Burba
- 84th minute: Georges Mikautadze scored from open play
- 85th minute: Giorgi Kvernadze, Giorgi Gocholeishvili, and Budu Zivzivadze entered for Mikautadze, Luka Gadrani, and Giorgi Chakvetadze
- 89th minute: Lithuania brought on Zygimantas Baltrunas and Klaudijus Upstas
- 90+3 minute: Gvidas Gineitis received a second yellow and a red card
What it means
Georgia bank another clean sheet away from Tbilisi and keep momentum ahead of their summer schedule, with Mikautadze’s form a genuine weapon for W. Sagnol. Lithuania must recalibrate quickly, especially in midfield balance, before their next gathering. For a broader look at how teams across the region fared this weekend, see Armenia 1-2 Belarus.
Georgia will aim to carry Mikautadze’s rhythm into the June window while monitoring their depth after late changes, including Lochoshvili’s 75th-minute introduction for Dvali. Lithuania’s staff will review discipline after five yellow cards—including two for Gineitis that triggered his dismissal—undermined any late push.
