Turkey 3 Georgia 1: Arda Guler wonderstrike breaks Cristiano Ronaldo record as Turks beat brave minnows in thriller
ARDA GULER’S rocket strike on his Euros debut leaves him following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 19-year-old Real Madrid prodigy produced the 65th minute winner in a jaw-dropping game full of screamers and chaos to become the youngest player to score on his debut in the competition.
Guler (19yrs and 114 days) surpassed Ronaldo’s previous record of 19-years and 128 days set against Greece in 2004 so there’s no surprise why he has been hailed by Jude Bellingham as the “most talented player he has ever seen.”
Guler, who became a Champions League winner two weeks ago as an unused substitute, hit the stunning strike on 65-minutes in a match marred with violent scenes between fans before kick-off.
Georgia, who are in their first-ever major tournament, can keep their heads held high after a gut-busting show saw Georges Mikautadze cancel out Mert Muldur’s opener for Turkey.
Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu wrapped things up with a third for Turkey in the 97th-minute as Georgia’s goalkeeper was miles out of position.
There had been an Old Trafford roof scenario at both ends as the rain lashed onto fans in the lower tiers at Signal Iduna Park.
A blistering start saw Turkey hit the post on 11-minutes after Kaan Ayhan waltzed into space and drilled an attempt from 25-yards.
On 25-minutes Turkey had lift-off as Arsenal transfer target Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross was only partially cleared by Georgia.
Mert Muldur stepped up on the edge of the penalty area and smashed a peach of a sliced volley beyond Mamardashvili into the Georgia goal.
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Only a minute later and Turkey thought they had doubled the lead but Kenan Yildiz was judged just offside after a VAR check.
On 32-minutes Georgia were in dreamland as they scored their first goal of a major tournament.
Giorgi Kochorashvili produced a stepover before crossing to Georges Mikautadze who squeezed a strike in at the near post.
Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok could have done better but Georgia couldn’t care less.
Georgia emerged from the restart with a fire in their bellies and Khvicha Kvaratskheila teed up Mikautadze who spun and shot but Abdulkerim Bardakci and Samet Akaydin put their bodies on the line.
There were shouts for a Turkey penalty when 19-year-old Real Madrid prodigy Guler hit the deck after being crowded by three Georgia players but only a free-kick was given.
Hakan Calhanoglu lashed the 30-yard free-kick and stung the hands of Mamardashvili in goal.
Both sides were relentless but hero Guler produced a moment of magic and raised the shoddy Dortmund roof with a corker into the top corner on 65-minutes.
Georgia hit back strongly though and Giorgi Kochorashvili pounced on the ball and cracked one off the crossbar.
Georgia hit the post as Samet Akaydin produced a potential match-saving headed clearance to deny Budu Zivzivadze.
Turkey charged with Georgia’s goalkeeper miles out of position and Akturkoglu slotted home.