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A world class Arda Güler goal vs Georgia proved to be the difference in Group F’s wildly entertaining first game as Turkey secured an enthralling 3-1 victory.
Georgia entered the tournament as the lowest ranked team in Euro 2024 ranked 75th in the world. They showed no signs of being the underdog as they pushed Turkey to the limit with a Güler worldie separating the two teams.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the second half it looked like either team could produce a winner in a back-and-forth contest. In the 65th minute Turkey’s wonderboy and Real Madrid phenom Güler produced this piece of magic.
Arda Güler goal vs Georgia
WOW. WHAT A GOAL FOR TURKEY TO TAKE THE LEAD!
Phenomenal from Arda Güler pic.twitter.com/QbE7UlFmVB— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
What a strike from the 19-year-old. Güler’s appearances for Real Madrid were limited last season but he still scored six goals in 12 games for the European champions. The shot against Georgia was clocked in at 73 mph.
Georgia’s first-ever Euro game ended in defeat, but they pushed Turkey to the limit. Initially it looked like Turkey would walk over the Euro newcomers with another wonderous goal in the 25th minute.
GOOOOAAAL FOR TURKEY!!!
What a volley from Mert Müldür! pic.twitter.com/OcCUXOzXu5— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
Minutes later Turkey had the ball in Georgia’s net again, but VAR intervened for an incredibly tight call.
Turkey nearly finds its second but this goal is disallowed after a VAR check pic.twitter.com/NT53vNpFku
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
In the 32nd minute Georgia equalized with a well worked move that ended in a near post finish. Georges Mikautadze, who plays for recently relegated Metz, will hold the honor of scoring Georgia’s first-ever Euro goal.
THE FIRST-EVER EUROS GOAL FOR GEORGIA!!
Georges Mikautadze puts his name into the history books pic.twitter.com/d4dSskAu6B— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
The second half saw a litany of chances at either end. Georgia only have themselves to blame for not scoring any of their massive moments as the crossbar, defenders and bad misses all denied them an equalizer.
OFF THE BAR! Georgia was sooo close to leveling things pic.twitter.com/IXRIgC0Bj3
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
What a chance for Georgia! Just wide with the chance to equalize pic.twitter.com/UQnqBvt3BM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
ANOTHER HUGE CHANCE NOT TO BE FOR GEORGIA pic.twitter.com/Kuebx2fN8i
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
Desperate for a goal, Georgia brought up their goalkeeper for the final corner kick. The ball was cleared away and Turkey netted their third with the final kick of the game.
TÜRKIYE SEALS THE WIN IN STOPPAGE TIME pic.twitter.com/jHAnB9qFuO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2024
At Euro 2020 Turkey lost all three group stage games and finished with a negative seven goal difference. They look on course to rewrite their Euro story in 2024.
Saturday will see these two sides back in action as Georgia face Czechia and Turkey face group-favorites Portugal.
