Arda Güler announced himself on the EURO finals stage with a memorable goal as Türkiye edged out debutants Georgia in Dortmund.
A stunning second-half strike from Real Madrid youngster Arda Güler helped Türkiye earn a 3-1 victory in a UEFA EURO 2024 Group F thriller against debutants Georgia in Dortmund.
For much of the opening half-hour, the question was less who would win than how much Türkiye would win by – with Hakan Çalhanoğlu setting the tempo, the Crescent-Stars sparkled. The goal frame had scarcely stopped vibrating from Kaan Ayhan’s fierce drive against the post when Mert Müldür met a headed clearance with the sweetest of volleys.
Kenan Yıldız found the net again moments later, with an effort disallowed for offside after consulting VAR. Georgia were rocking; no matter, Georges Mikautadze soon got them rolling. Just past the half-hour, the Metz forward diverted Giorgi Kochorashvili’s low cross in at the near post, and he was a whisker away from another moments later.
Amid driving rain, Türkiye steadied the ship, re-establishing their dominance after the break, and Arda Güler drove home the advantage in emphatic fashion with a wonderful strike from distance. Georgia never knew they were beaten, though. Kochorashvili rattled the bar and, deep into added time, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s free-kick came back off the upright.
The debutants threw everything – including goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – forward. With 97 minutes on the clock, however, Türkiye settled it following a corner, substitute Kerem Aktürkoğlu side-footing into the empty net.
He created a lot of problems in the second half when he played through the middle, and it was a good pass from him that led to the first goal; his excellent goal helped decide the game. He also demonstrated leadership, getting instructions across to others. He made the difference.
After losing the opening game in each of their five previous EURO appearances, Türkiye stopped the rot – aided by two extraordinary strikes. Vincenzo Montella’s side were pegged back after their first goal but held on following their second, before sealing all three points on the counter right at the death. It is their first victory at the EURO for eight years.
