Euro 2024
Turkey Thrashes Georgia In Exciting Euro 2024 Clash
Turkey saw the back of the net three times on Tuesday in the opening campaign for the Euro 2024 against Georgia.
Delighting their devoted supporters in the rain-soaked Dortmund, Turkey conceded just a goal to end the game 3-1 in their favour.
Sportxparte reports that Real Madrid‘s Arda Guler scored the first goal in the 65th minute at the Westfalenstadion, which was a sight to behold amidst the sea of Turkey fans.
This was followed by Kerem Akturkoglu’s goal in the final minutes, securing a 3-1 win for Turkey as Georgia fought hard for a chance to equalize.
Guler, just 19, faced several injuries during his debut season in Madrid but managed to shine for Turkey in a tough game against Georgia, who seemed to be holding their own in their inaugural appearance at a major international event.
Georgia posed a threat after Georges Mikautadze levelled Mert Muldur’s goal in the 25th minute, but their hopes of a second equalizer were dashed by the goalkeepers’ impressive saves and blocks.
However, Akturkoglu ensured Turkey would finish at the top of their group, setting the stage for their upcoming match against Portugal.
Inspired by their passionate fans, Turkey attacked Georgia from the beginning, applying pressure high up the pitch as the crowd roared.
Kaan Ayhan and Abdulkerim Bardakci both came close with headers from corners early on, followed by Ayhan’s goal from a low shot off the post.
And in a tense start, Anzor Mekvabishvili almost scored a goal for Georgia in the 11th minute when his shot was spectacularly saved by Mert Gunok.
But Muldur ignited a wave of celebration among the crowd in the 25th minute with an incredible volley following Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross.
Courageous Georgia
The clamour from Muldur’s attempt at the goal had begun to quiet down just as Kenan Yildiz scored what appeared to be Turkey’s second when it was called out for the attacker stepping offside just before he hit the goal.
Mikautadze surprised the essential home team’s supporters in the 32nd minute with a shot from a low cross after an impressive run down the right flank.
The somewhat diminutive but vocal group from Georgia soon found themselves in a bind as Mikautadze seemed on track to put them ahead but let a golden opportunity slip by.
Turkey got back into the game strong after halftime but Georgia didn’t give up and Mikautadze was once more in the centre of attention in the 52nd minute after Bardakci managed to stop his shot after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s shot darted down the left side.
Kvaratskhelia, who hadn’t performed to his usual standards, again missed an opportunity in the 62nd minute with a well-kicked shot that went wide, and Guler took a penalty kick just moments later, hitting it with such precision that Giorgi Mamardashvili’s attempt to stop it was unsuccessful.
Georgia tried to equalize again shortly after Guler’s penalty, but they came awfully close in the fifth minute when Kochorashvili eluded a couple of tackles from the opposition, only for his shot to miss the goal.
However, Kochorashvili and Zuriko Davitashvili couldn’t score in extra time, leaving Georgia in a position to launch one final effort. Akturkoglu scored from a distance during a free kick, sealing a match that was anything but dull.
