Turkey vs Georgia live updates (2024)

Turkey scored two of the best goals seen yet at Euro 2024 as they beat Georgia in a hugely entertaining match at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.

Our own Jacob Whitehead and Michael Cox pick through the key talking points. Enjoy.

A brilliant game and arguably the right outcome. What a treat to see two sides primarily go for it from the off in an opening group game. Here’s how the numbers show up…

FT: Turkey 3-1 Georgia

• Possession: 56% — 44%
• Shots: 22 — 14
• On target: 8 — 5
• XG: 2.70 — 1.59
• Big chances: 6 — 5
• Blocked shots: 7 — 3
• Duels won: 46 — 51
• Dispossessed: 7 — 3

It will be interesting to see how these two do now against Portugal and Czech Republic in their two remaining games.

It wasn’t just the record goal either.

Arda Guler’s five chances created today were the joint-most by a teenager in a European Championship game since 1980.

And that is how you make an impact.

All hail Arda Guler. His stunning goal made him the youngest player to score on his debut at a European Championship finals.

He is 19 years and 114 days old.

And guess who he beats? Yes indeed. The previous record belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 19 years and 128 days when he set it in 2004.

How did that end play out then, I hear you ask?

Well, firstly in tis incredible end we had Georgia goalkeeper Mamardashvili sent forward for a free-kick in the final minute.

The delivery is diverted onto the post, before Bardakci gets in a vital block on the follow-up from a few yards.

From there, Turkey get the chance to break and find late sub Kerem Akturkoglu. He has the freedom of the Georgia half and runs the ball into the unguarded net to seal Turkey’s opening win.

What a finish to a brilliant game.

And with that, the final whistle sounds on a fantastic game in Dortmund.

Fair play Georgia. Great work Turkey.

These two are going to be a lot of fun.

90+7' Turkey 3-1 Georgia

What a crazy minute. What a game.

And Turkey will win it.

90+3' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

Wow! There is always one more chance and this one falls to Mikautadze and Kochorashvili, as they both rush onto the great work from Kvaratskhelia to get the ball into the box.

It’s not clear who gets the final shot off, but what is clear is it flies just wide of the left post.

So, so close.

90' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

Still time for another booking. Hakan Calhanoglu takes one for the team with an awkward tackle on Kochorashvili.

Wolfsberger midfielder Sandro Altunashvili is on now too.

Georgia still pressing forward and showing great heart here. They haven’t given up. Not at all.

SIX added minutes to come.

87' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

What a save that is from Mamardashvili, who somehow turns Yazici’s header round the post from a few yards. Stunning save.

If Georgia do earn a point here, that will have played a significant role.

85' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

It feels like the football stopped about five minutes ago and all we’ve had since then is substitutions.

Turkey make another couple of changes, with a cramping Muldur and Yildiz coming off.

Meanwhile, Georgia now have another forward — Budu Zivzivadze of Karlsruher — on the pitch.

81' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

Those Turkey changes look like they’ve now moved to three at the back, and with that they’ll be wanting to preserve this lead rather than extend it.

Can Georgia force the issues themselves as a result?

79' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

And now Turkey make their changes.

Arda Guler leaves to a huge ovation — and a deserved one too. He’s been excellent in the second half.

Kaan Ayhan is also withdrawn, as Lille’s Yusuf Yazici and Merih Demiral of Al-Ahli enter the fray.

73' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

It’s time for changes from Willy Sagnol and Georgia. Tsitaishvili and a rather perplexed Chakvetadze make way.

Zuriko Davitashvili of Bordeaux and Cremonese’s Luka Lochoshvili are now on.

71' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

This is the game that keeps giving. Now Giorgi Kochorashvili shines again, getting into the box, taking a lovely touch and then lifting the ball over a challenge.

He also lifts a shot over Gunok — but that effort comes back off the crossbar.

This is not over for Georgia. Not yet.

69' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

And that should really be three. Turkey break through Yildiz, they’re in the box and the cutback finds Kocku, but he can only scoop the ball into Mamardashvili’s arms.

67' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

Goodness me, what a pair of goals Turkey have scored in this game — and this may be the pick.

The ball falls to Arda Guler on the right. The Real Madrid forward drifts inside onto his left foot, and pulls out a sensational curling shot into the far top corner.

Mamardashvili may as well just sat back and watched it go in.

A fabulous moment and Turkey lead again.

66' Turkey 2-1 Georgia

OH MY! ARDA GULER, WHAT. A. GOAL!

63' Turkey 1-1 Georgia

That said, I wouldn’t want to downplay Georgia’s attacking threat.

Again they counter forward and Giorgi Tsitaishvili produces an excellent centre that finds Kvaratskhelia in the box.

He sticks out a leg, but his balance doesn’t hold and the ball rolls out of play for a goal kick.

60' Turkey 1-1 Georgia

For Guler, also read Hakan Calhanoglu. The captain is getting on top in midfield and dictating things now.

He also pings a shot from outside the box that forces a corner, but Mamardashvili eventually claims the ball and gestures for everyone around him to take their time a bit.

You feel Georgia may appreciate hanging onto a draw the longer this goes on, especially if this current pattern continues.