Türkiye triumphs as Euro 2024 opener ends in 3-1 victory over Georgia

Türkiye spectacularly launched their Euro 2024 campaign on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Georgia, igniting a wave of jubilation among their dedicated supporters at a rain-soaked Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.

The match saw Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler etch his name into the history books, becoming the youngest player ever to score on his UEFA European Championship debut at just 19 years and 114 days old. Guler’s decisive strike in the 65th minute electrified the Türkiye fans who dominated the stadium, with Kerem Akturkoglu adding a third goal deep into stoppage time to secure Türkiye’s triumphant start.

The Türkiye squad, buoyed by their fervent supporters, exerted relentless pressure from the outset, evidenced by Mert Muldur’s 25th-minute opener, which sparked raucous celebrations in the stands. Despite Georgia’s spirited efforts, including Georges Mikautadze’s equalizer just after the half-hour mark, Türkiye’s determination and clinical finishing ultimately proved decisive.

Georgia, competing in their first-ever major international tournament, showcased resilience throughout the match, threatening Türkiye’s goal and narrowly missing several opportunities to level the score. Despite their spirited performance, they were unable to withstand Türkiye’s relentless attacks, particularly in the second half when Guler’s stunning long-range effort put the game out of reach.

The victory marks Türkiye’s first-ever win in the opening game of a UEFA European Championship, breaking a streak of five previous losses in such fixtures. For Georgia, despite the defeat, their debut at this level demonstrated promise and determination, underscoring their potential in future competitions.

With this commanding performance, Türkiye now sits atop their group ahead of upcoming matches, setting an optimistic tone for their Euro 2024 campaign as they aim to advance further in the tournament