Dartsimelia extends Georgian fairy tale

Dato Dartsimelia's winner, seven minutes from time, ensured Georgia dramatically reached the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals.

Vasil Maisuradze's looked set to be eliminated from Group A despite France's travails against Germany in the other game, but Dartsimelia's late effort means they are through to face the Netherlands, the holders, in the last four.

Georgia looked the more comfortable from the outset, patiently controlling possession and probing the flanks. The tactics produced their first real chance, as adventurous wing back Otar Kakabadze picked out the unmarked Aleko Mzevashvili in the area, but the midfielder curled wide of the left post.

A proven aerial threat at set pieces, Iceland then used the element of surprise to create their first opportunity; Osvald Traustason whipped in a corner, and Oliver Sigurjónsson's tricky effort was kept out by Aleksandre Adamia.

With Gunnar Gudmundsson's side watching the wings, centre midfielder Giorgi Papunashvili frequently found himself in space, and two chances came and went as he tried to exploit it; the first curling narrowly wide of the left post and the second thundering off the gloves of Runar Runarsson. The keeper, starting his first game in Slovenia, then went one better as he produced a stunning stop to deny Mzevashvili at his near post.

A subdued second half was given an injection when news filtered through that Germany had taken the lead against France.

The determined Papunashvili was the first to have an effort in the frantic end-to-end action, stinging Runarsson's palms from range once again, before the heroic goalkeeper dived to keep out substitute Nika Akhvlediani's header.

Then came the moment the Georgians were waiting for. Left-back Giga Samkharadze charged down the flank, and his fizzing low cross was prodded in at the back post by Dartsimelia. Iceland pounded on the door, knowing that a goal would take them through, but the Georgian defence would not budge, and their fairy tale goes on.