Turkey vs Georgia LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction after Arda Guler wonder goal
Turkey 3-1 Georgia: Fans clashed in Dortmund after heavy rain saw leaks at the Westfalenstadion leaving supporters drenched, before the game of the tournament unfolded on the pitch
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Teenager Arder Guler’s superb long-range strike helped Turkey to a victorious start to their Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-1 win over tournament debutants Georgia amid a fevered atmosphere in Dortmund.
Mert Muldur gave Turkey a deserved lead in the 25th minute, smashing a swerving volley past helpless Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from the edge of the box. Georgia, playing their first major international tournament, equalised in the 32nd minute when Georges Mikautadze turned Giorgi Kochorashvili’s cross past Mert Gunok, who should have done better in covering his near post.
The 19-year-old Guler, coming into the tournament fresh from a run of goals for Real Madrid, scored after 65 minutes, curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Georgia pressed for a late equaliser but, with Mamardashvili coming up for a series of corners, Kerem Akturkoglu broke away and passed into an empty net in added time to make it 3-1.
Follow all the reaction below, which continues with updates from Portugal vs Czechia in Group F
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
62 mins
Kvaratskhelia exchanges passes with Tsitaishvili down the left and he gets it back on the cutback, but his half-cross, half-shot ends up drifting wide of goal, with no white shirt there to convert.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
61 mins
Kokcu has the presence of mind to turn and start the counter from his own half, but it ends with yet another block in the Georgia box.
Turkey recycle possession, and after trying a couple of blocked shots from distance, Calhanoglu’s effort is deflected behind for a corner.
Guler gets a second attempt at the delivery, but it’s straight into the hands of Mamardashvili.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
57 mins
Turkey think they have a shout for a penalty but the referee has awarded a free-kick just outside the box for a late challenge. Kverkvelia is booked.
Calhanoglu has the opportunity from around 25 yards, and it’s a lovely strike. It’s moving a lot as it approaches the goal, but Mamardashvili gets a hand to palm it away.
Georgia counter and it’s carried into the Turkey half, with Chakvetadze eventually winning a corner.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
54 mins
A promising attack for Turkey ends with a miscued through ball, and the same happens again when Arda Guler has the chance to slip it in to Yildiz, who would have been one-on-one.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
51 mins
Lovely from Georgia to play out from their own box, and within four passes it arrives to Kvaratskhelia on the edge of the Turkey box. He works it down the left, creates a yard of space for himself and cuts it back to Mikautadze, who takes a touch and hits it on the turn, but two Turkey shirts throw themselves in front to block it. That would’ve been another goal of the tournament contender.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
48 mins
Nice turn from Yilmaz in the box, but his shot is blocked, before Georgia win a free-kick. They counter and Tsitaishvili gets it out of his feet before hitting a shot straight at Gunok.
Euro 2024: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
46 mins
A chance for Turkey straight away as Yilmaz gets away down the right and squares a ball into Muldur, but the ball bounces off his foot and into the hands of Mamardashvili.
KICK-OFF! Turkey 1-1 Georgia
KICK-OFF! Back underway in Dortmund, with everyone hoping for an equally an enthralling second half to come.
No changes at half-time, with Georgia making Turkey wait a little as the break ended.
HT: Turkey 1-1 Georgia
The teams are back out on the pitch. We’re hoping for an equally entertaining second half.
Georgia are 45 minutes away from a magnificent result in their first ever major tournament match. Can they make it even better?
Turkey won’t be disappointed with how they played, but they’ll be wary of the importance of three points here tonight.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments