Turkey’s thrilling 3-1 victory over debutants Georgia in their Euro 2024 Group F opener was a match that had everything – stunning goals, drama, controversy, and a raucous atmosphere at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Here’s a comprehensive review of the game, including player ratings for both teams.

The Match

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both teams displaying attacking intent from the outset. Turkey, buoyed by the vociferous support of their fans, took the lead in the 25th minute through a moment of sheer brilliance from Mert Müldür. The right-back unleashed an unstoppable volley from the edge of the box that left Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili grasping at thin air.

Just two minutes later, Turkey thought they had doubled their lead when Kenan Yıldız bundled the ball into the net, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside after a VAR review. This decision seemed to galvanize Georgia, who were making their first appearance at a major international tournament.

In the 32nd minute, Georgia etched their name in the history books as Georges Mikautadze scored their first-ever goal at a European Championship finals. The striker’s snap shot from the edge of the box beat Mert Günok at his near post, sending the Georgian contingent into raptures.

The Teenage Sensation

The second half belonged to one man – Arda Güler, the 19-year-old Real Madrid prodigy. In the 65th minute, the teenager picked up the ball on the right flank, shifted it onto his left foot, and unleashed an unstoppable curling effort that kissed the inside of the far post before nestling in the back of the net.

With that goal, Güler became the youngest player to score on his debut at a European Championship finals, surpassing the record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Signal Iduna Park erupted in celebration, with the Turkish fans hailing their new hero.

The Dramatic Finale

The final 20 minutes of the match were a rollercoaster of emotions for both sets of fans. Georgia came agonizingly close to equalizing in the 69th minute when Giorgi Kochorashvili’s clever flick struck the post. Moments later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cross found two Georgian players unmarked in the box, but they failed to make clean contact, and the chance went begging.

As the game entered stoppage time, Georgia threw caution to the wind, with goalkeeper Mamardashvili venturing forward for a corner. This proved to be their undoing as Turkey broke away, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu rolled the ball into an empty net to seal a 3-1 victory.

Player Ratings

Turkey

Mert Günok (GK): 7/10 – Made a few crucial saves to keep Turkey in the lead.

Mert Müldür: 9/10 – Scored a stunning volley and was a constant threat down the right flank.

Merih Demiral: 7/10 – Solid at the back and dealt well with Georgia’s attacking threat.

Çağlar Söyüncü: 7/10 – Formed a strong partnership with Demiral in central defense.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu: 6/10 – Had a few bright moments but was often caught out of position.

Orkun Kökçü: 7/10 – Dictated the tempo in midfield and provided the assist for Müldür’s goal.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu: 6/10 – Struggled to make an impact but worked hard in midfield.

Kenan Yıldız: 7/10 – Unlucky to have his goal disallowed but caused problems for the Georgian defense.

Arda Güler: 9/10 – The star of the show with a sensational goal and a commanding performance.

Cengiz Ünder: 6/10 – Worked hard but lacked end product in the final third.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu: 7/10 – Scored the crucial third goal and provided an outlet on the left flank.

Substitutes:
Yusuf Yazıcı (6/10), Halil Dervişoğlu (6/10), Ozan Tufan (6/10)

Georgia

Giorgi Mamardashvili (GK): 7/10 – Made several good saves but was left exposed for Turkey’s goals.

Guram Kashia: 6/10 – Struggled to cope with Turkey’s attacking threat at times.

Lasha Dvali: 6/10 – Had a tough time dealing with Güler’s trickery and movement.

Grigol Citelishvili: 6/10 – Solid in defense but lacked composure on the ball.

Otar Kakabadze: 6/10 – Worked hard but was often overrun in midfield.

Tornike Okriashvili: 6/10 – Battled well but couldn’t influence the game as he would have liked.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: 7/10 – Georgia’s standout performer and a constant threat on the left flank.

Giorgi Kochorashvili: 7/10 – Scored the historic first goal and was unlucky not to equalize late on.

Georges Mikautadze: 8/10 – Scored Georgia’s first-ever European Championship goal and led the line well.

Anzor Mekvabishvili: 6/10 – Had a few half-chances but struggled to make a significant impact.

Zuriko Davitashvili: 6/10 – Worked hard but was often isolated up front.

Substitutes:
Giorgi Aburjania (6/10), Giorgi Tsitaishvili (6/10), Giorgi Kvilitaia (6/10)

Turkey’s victory was well-deserved, but Georgia can take immense pride in their performance on their major tournament debut. Arda Güler announced himself on the biggest stage with a goal that will live long in the memory, while Mert Müldür and Georges Mikautadze also etched their names in the history books.

FAQ

Q: Who scored the first goal of the match?
A: Mert Müldür scored the opening goal for Turkey in the 25th minute with a stunning volley.

Q: Which player became the youngest to score on their debut at a European Championship finals?
A: Arda Güler, aged 19, became the youngest player to score on their debut at a European Championship finals, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.

Q: What was the controversial decision in the match?
A: Turkey had a goal disallowed in the 27th minute after a VAR review ruled Kenan Yıldız’s effort offside.

Q: Who scored Georgia’s first-ever goal at a European Championship finals?
A: Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia’s historic first goal at a European Championship finals in the 32nd minute.

Q: How did the match end?
A: Turkey sealed a 3-1 victory after Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored in stoppage time, capitalizing on Georgia’s goalkeeper Mamardashvili venturing forward for a corner.