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
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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
Group F standings
Here’s how Group F looks now after the first round of games.
1 - Turkey, 3 points, GD+2
2 - Portugal, 3 points, GD+1
3 - Czech Republic, GD -1
4 - Georgia, 0 points, GD-2
Next matches
Portugal’s next game takes them to Dortmund, where they will face an inspired Turkey on Saturday, 22 June (kick-off is at 5pm BST).
The Czech Republic face Georgia in their next match, with the tournament’s lowest ranked team likely in fairly good spirits despite their opening day loss, having shown that they can compete at the top international level.
That fixture kicks off at 2pm BST on Saturday, 22 June in Hamburg.
Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged as Portugal find the formula for Euro 2024 glory
Cristiano Ronaldo spans the generations. He in effect replaced Sergio Conceicao in the Portugal squad two decades ago. Twenty years on, as Ronaldo set his latest record, Sergio’s son Francisco Conceicao proved Portugal’s rescuer, upstaging even the old master, providing the sort of dramatic late winner that has long been the 39-year-old’s trademark.
As Roberto Martinez, initially unusually timid, had gambled after seeing a Diogo Jota goal disallowed, he made a triple change on 90 minutes.
On, along with Nelson Semedo, came Pedro Neto and Conceicao. The two wingers had barely had entered the game when they decided it. Neto’s cross was blocked but not cleared by the luckless Robin Hranac and fell for Conceicao to drive in a finish. If nothing else, it was proof of Portugal’s immense depths of talent.
Record-breaking Ronaldo upstaged as Portugal find the formula for Euro 2024 glory
Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic: Francisco Conceicao scored late winner moments after coming on as Ronaldo’s side came from behind to win their Group F opener
Portugal player ratings vs Czechia: Cristiano Ronaldo and Premier League stars started Euro 2024 campaign
Portugal football had been talked about as among the favourites at Euro 2024, but they had to come from behind against Czechia to secure a hard-fought first win in Group F.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s side had dominated in the first half without really putting Czechia on the back foot, but Lukas Provod put his team ahead just after the hour mark completely against the run of play with a powerful strike.
It was only due to a fortunate own goal, which went in off Robin Hranac that Portugal managed to secure an equaliser. But after going level, it was Francisco Conceicao who scored the winner moments after coming on from the bench.
Below are the Portugal player ratings from their first Group F match.
Portugal player ratings vs Cezchia in Euro 2024 opening game
Portugal 1-1 Czechia: The star-filled Selecao failed to make the expected impact in their tournament opener
FULL-TIME! Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
The Czech Republic can take a lot of encouragement from there performance tonight.
They were resolute in defence, with Provod and Soucek putting in a shift in midfield. They were lacking any penetration in attack though.
Unfortunately, the result leaves them in a difficult position in Group F. They’ll likely need at least a draw against Turkey if they’re to make the next round.
FULL-TIME! Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
FULL-TIME! Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
So, a potentially vital win for Portugal as they look to secure an easier route through the last 16.
They didn’t play as well as they know they can, but as was the case for England and France, the main thing is to win your first game.
Some encouraging performances from Mendes, Cancelo, Fernandes and Vitinha, while Jota impressed after coming on and the defence was solid overall despite conceding.
Ronaldo, Silva, Leao and Dalot will be a little disappointed with their performances though.
FULL-TIME! Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
FULL-TIME! And the referee blows the whistle, and Portugal get the late victory! They left it late, but in the end they earn the three points.
They don’t look like favourites after that, but a win is a win in your opening game.
Euro 2024: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
95 mins
We’re past the allotted amount of added time now. Portugal launch it forward in an attempt to waste time.
Euro 2024: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
94 mins
Portugal have some defending to do before the final whistle as Bara clips a ball over the top of the Portugal defence, but the header is looped over the bar!
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