Guler, Muldur and Akturkoglu shine as Turkey win comfortably against the debutants Georgia to kick start their Euro 2024 campaign.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu of Turkiye celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Georgia at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

New Delhi: Turkey get the perfect start to their 2024 Euro campaign after securing a comfortable 3-1 win against the debutants Georgia. The Turkish team looked threatening from the very beginning of the match with their young guns causing menace in the opposition territory.

After an early spell of Turkish domination, Muldur gave Turkey the lead on the 25th minute as he slammed the ball into the back of Georgia’s net. They believed they had taken the lead twice, but Yildiz’s goal a few seconds later was disallowed by the narrowest of margins.

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Before the half, Georgia responded, with Mikautadze smashing home at the near post after a brilliant ball from Kochorashvili. The Turkish carried the threat in the second half, constantly making incisive runs into the opposition half causing the Georgian defenders some major problems.

Arda Guler became the youngest debutant to score at the grandest stage of UEFA European championship and it was a complete rocket from the 19-year-old. Akturkoglu scored the third and the final goal for Turkey to make it 3-1, final score.

Muldur executed a wonderful half volley to make it 1-0

DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Mert Muldur (18) of Turkiye celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024) Group F football match between Turkiye and Georgia at BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany on June 18, 2024. (Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Turkish fullback produced a special goal after the Georgian defence cleared the ball that Kadioglu flicked into the area. When it landed directly on the right back’s foot, Muldur made no mistake as he smashed the ball on the volley stright into the net to give Turkey a 1-0 lead.

Arda Guler showed his class scoring a worldie

DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Arda Guler of Turkey celebrates the third goal 2-1 during the EURO match between Turkey v Georgia at the Signal Iduna Park on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund Germany (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

The 19-year-old talented prodigy, scored a wonderful goal as he picked up the ball outside the box and curled his shot magnificently into the top left corner of the goal to give Turkey a 2-1 lead. This goal made him the youngest Debutant to score a goal in the UEFA European championship.

Akturkoglu scored a third in the dying moments of the game

The Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashivli was sent forward to attack after Georgia had a chance to equalise, trailing 2-1, from a corner. However, the in swinging bal lwas cleared by the Turkish defence, only to find Akturkoglu who took the ball to the opposition territory and score a third to add to Georgia’s misery.

What next?

Turkey are set to face Portugal for their next group stage clash. With Portugal being the clear favourites, Turkey will be looking to produce a good performance to cause a major upset against the 2016 Euro champions. The Turkish will be going into the match with great confidence and some real intent, since they will be facing the most difficult team in  their group.

Georgia showed good spirit in their first ever game in UEFA Euro championship but their chances of making out of their group look slimmer than ever after this defeat. However, they will be up against Czech Republic who have a rich history in this competition, but the Georgians will have to gear up and give their best performance to keep their qualification hopes alive.