Turkey got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a thrilling start on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Georgia that brought delight to a passionate army of fans in soaking-wet Dortmund, Agence France-Presse reported.
Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler crashed in a brilliant goal in the 65th minute to put Turkey ahead at a Westfalenstadion dominated by tens of thousands of Turkish fans, before Kerem Aktürkoğlu rolled home the third with the last kick of the game as Georgia pushed for a late leveller.
Güler, 19, had a difficult time with injuries in his first season in Madrid but stepped up for Turkey in a fiercely contested match with Georgia, who did not look out of place in their first-ever match at a major international tournament.
“I’m really happy with the win, I hope I can score more goals to help my team,” said Güler.
“I don’t care about personal achievements, I’m only concerned about helping the team win and that we go as far as possible.”
Georgia was dangerous after Georges Mikautadze levelled Mert Müldür’s 25th-minute opener for Turkey just after the half-hour mark, and was denied a second equalizer by the woodwork and a series of saves and blocks.
But Aktürkoğlu made sure Turkey would top the group ahead of Portugal’s opening match with the Czech Republic later on Tuesday.
“It’s a bit early to talk about what was missing, but I will say a bit of talent, a bit of experience,” said Georgia coach Willy Sagnol.
“I’m sure that in the future, this kind of game in the next months and the next years, I’m sure Georgia won’t lose, because Georgia will learn. … I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them.”
Turkey took the cue from their fervent support and went at Georgia from the off, pressuring their inexperienced opposition high up the pitch as a huge din came rolling down from the stands.
Kaan Ayhan and Abdülkerim Bardakçı both went close with headers from corners inside the first 10 minutes before Ayhan crashed a low drive off the inside of the post.
Brave Georgia
In a breathless opening period, Anzor Mekvabishvili almost gave Georgia a shock lead in the 11th minute when his wildly deflected shot was well saved by Mert Günok.
But Müldür sparked wild celebrations in the stands in the 25th minute with a stunning volley after Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross was cleared to him on the edge of the area.
The roars from Müldür’s goal had barely subsided when Kenan Yıldız poked home what he thought was Turkey’s second, only for the goal to be ruled out for the Juventus attacker’s toes straying offside before he tapped home.
And Mikautadze then stunned what was effectively the home crowd in the 32nd minute by sweeping home Giorgi Kochorashvili’s low cross after brilliant play down the right.
The small but loud Georgian contingent had their heads in their hands shortly afterwards when Mikautadze look certain to put their team ahead but dragged a great opportunity wide.
Turkey again started on the front foot after the break, but Georgia held their own and Mikautadze was in the thick of it again in the 52nd minute when Bardakci blocked his effort after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s burst down the left.
Kvaratskhelia, who was below-par throughout, then poked a good chance wide in the 62nd minute and only moments later Güler took aim from distance and arrowed in an unstoppable shot past the despairing Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Güler’s goal made him the first teenager since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 to score on his Euros debut, with the pair possibly facing off on Saturday.
Georgia pushed for another equalizer and came desperately close five minutes after Guler’s strike when Kochorashvili skipped past a couple of weak challenges only to see his shot rattle the crossbar.
Kochorashvili and Zuriko Davitashvili were both unfortunate not to level in added time as goalkeeper Mamardashvili pushed forward for one last effort and Aktürkoğlu charged home on the break to seal a hugely entertaining win.