Turkey start their Euros with two absolute screamers and a win

Teenager Arda Guler scored on his European Championship debut as Turkey shattered Georgia’s hearts with a compelling Group F win in Dortmund.

Mert Muldur’s Stunning Volley

Right-back Mert Muldur gave Turkey the lead in the 25th minute with an outrageous volley into the top corner, leaving Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili no chance.

The goal set the tone for an exhilarating match as Turkey sought to assert dominance early on.

Georgia’s Historic Equalizer

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However, Georgia responded just seven minutes later. Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia’s first goal in a major tournament, expertly guiding Giorgi Kochorashvili’s cross into the near corner.

The equalizer was a moment of immense pride for Georgia, marking their arrival on the European stage with a historic strike.

Guler’s Record-Breaking Debut

In the 65th minute, Real Madrid forward Arda Guler became the third teenager to score on his Euros debut.

Guler delivered a sublime, curling strike into the top corner from 25 yards, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s record as the youngest player to score on his debut in the competition. At 19 years and 114 days, Guler’s performance lived up to the hype, demonstrating why he is hailed as the “Turkish Messi.”

Georgia’s Valiant Effort

Georgia, playing in a Euros for the first time, fought valiantly throughout the match. Willy Sagnol’s side showed plenty of heart and skill, coming close to equalizing several times.

Giorgi Kochorashvili hit the bar, and in a frantic finale, Georgia struck the post and had a goalbound effort from Budu Zivzivadze blocked by Samet Akaydin’s head in the fifth minute of added time.

Turkey Seals Victory

Despite Georgia’s efforts, Turkey sealed the success with the last kick of the game. Substitute Kerem Akturkoglu broke clear and, with keeper Mamardashvili having come up for a corner, rolled a finish into an empty net.

The match ended with Turkish fans celebrating wildly in Dortmund, as their side picked up a valuable three points on manager Vincenzo Montella’s 50th birthday.

Looking Ahead

Turkey will look to make it two wins in a row on Saturday when they face Portugal, while Georgia will play the Czech Republic.

Both teams will be eager to build on their performances, with Turkey hoping to capitalize on their momentum and Georgia seeking to convert their promising play into points.

Guler’s Star Performance

Arda Guler’s dazzling display was the highlight of the match. After becoming the first Turkish player to win the Champions League with Real Madrid in June, Guler showcased his immense talent.

His Messi-like goal, cutting in from the right and unleashing an unstoppable left-footed strike, left spectators in awe. His record-breaking goal provided Turkey with the edge in a closely contested match, underscoring why Real Madrid secured him on a six-year contract.

Georgia’s Promising Future

Despite the defeat, Georgia can take pride in their performance.

Having created history by beating Greece in a penalty shootout in the play-off final back in March, Sagnol’s men demonstrated their potential. Their spirited display against Turkey suggests that they will be a force to reckon with in their remaining matches.