Turkey scored two aim of the match contenders as they began their Euro 2024 marketing campaign with a 3-1 win over fearless newcomers Georgia.
Vincenzo Montella’s aspect made a powerful begin in Dortmund and, after Kaan Ayhan struck the woodwork, they established a deserved lead with one of many crispest strikes of the match to this point.
A cross from Ferdi Kadioglu was headed away into the trail of Mert Muldur, who discovered the highest proper nook with a shocking first-time volley.
With the Georgia defence nonetheless reeling from the opener, Kenan Yildiz was denied a second inside two minutes after a VAR overview noticed he had strayed offside earlier than a close-range end.
Willy Sagnol’s aspect subsequently took benefit of the reprieve, with Georges Mikautadze beating Mert Gunok at his close to put up to attain the nation’s first aim at a significant worldwide match.
The momentum started to sway in Turkey’s favour after the break, however Georgia nearly stored them at bay – till Guler discovered a pocket of house on the suitable, drove to the sting of the field and curled a magnificence into the highest nook.
The 19-year-old grew to become simply the third teenager to attain on their first look within the Euros, after Ferenc Bene for Hungary towards Spain in 1964 and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal towards Greece in 2004.
Nonetheless Georgia pushed. Giorgi Kochorashvili struck the crossbar, earlier than a mix-up between himself and Mikautadze noticed a late likelihood come and go, and a free-kick was bounced onto the right-hand put up and away.
However within the ultimate levels, Gunok punched a nook clear and, together with his reverse quantity Giorgi Mamardashvili having come ahead for the set-piece, Kerem Akturkoglu raced clear in the direction of an open aim and slotted in to seal the win.
How Muldur’s stunner put Turkey in entrance
And the way Guler added a sensational second
Stats: Story of the match
Montella dreaming of development after hitting first goal
Turkey supervisor Vincenzo Montella:
“It was a match worthy of the finals. I’m turning 50 today so this was the best present I could have received.
“We have by no means obtained past the group stage within the final three Euros; we did not even choose up some extent final time.
“Our first target was to win this match. Now we’ve won it, the dream is to win the next one and reach the knockout stage.”
Sagnol ‘satisfied’ Georgia will ship related efficiency towards Czech Rep
Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol:
On whether or not he’s blissful after a 3-1 defeat to Turkey: “Yes and no. I think when you lose it’s never nice, obviously. But I think for me and my team, the most important things are something else. And I think we have given such a nice, nice image of Georgian football. We can be proud of that.
“After all we had a whole lot of alternatives to attain, most likely as a lot as Turkey did. However that is soccer, you recognize, one wins and one other one loses. I do not wish to say we’re blissful losers at this time however we will be pleased with our efficiency.”
On chances of getting out of the group: “To get out of the group after all whenever you begin Euro you may have this aim. However for us, as I stated, a very powerful factor is to offer good performances as a result of that is how we’re going to get higher additionally sooner or later.
“Georgia is still in a very important phase of development and competitions like that should help all the players and staff to be even stronger in the future. But for sure, I can tell you already on Saturday I am convinced that we are going to provide the same kind of performance. And I am very excited already thinking about Saturday.”