Turkey 3-1 Georgia - Euro 2024 RECAP: Score, team news and updates (2024)

Right, and with that I better skedaddle.

I have to start this closing post by saying just how incredible that match was to witness. It was a real battle with two teams slogging it out.

This is why this tournament is so special, it means so much to all the teams involved, and both Turkey and Georgia showed that with their performances.

Turkey did get the job done in the end with two of their goals some of the best I have seen in this championship over the past few installments.

Georgia made a good account of themselves, though, and they will certainly cause both Portugal and Czechia some problems.

Anyway, I am going to shoot. I hope you all have a lovely evening. Make sure you follow our coverage of Portugal, yours truly is running it...

Look, Georgia will of course be disappointed, but they were brilliant today. They should be proud.

It was a monumental day for the country, and they didn't let them down.

At times, they were the better side, and on another day they could have come away with a point.

It just wasn't to be.

Real Madrid and Turkey really do have a star in their ranks.

Arda Guler has a whole country's hopes and dreams on his shoulders, and at just 19 years old, he delivered.

Without the goal, Guler's performance was brilliant, and with it, it was sensational.

His fine strike comes with a bit of history too, he is now the youngest player ever to score on his European Championship debut.

In addition, he created five chances in the match, the joint-most by a teenager in a game in the competition.

A special talent.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

That didn't feel like a group-stage match, that felt like a semi-final!

The atmosphere was electric from start to finish, and the match was played with everything on the line.

Ultimately, Turkey got the job done, and they needed to. The scenes at the end just prove how much it means.

After their Euro 2020 failure, this will feel so sweet.

And breathe...

The whistle is blown during the celebrations and the Turkey fans can continue their party, they get the job done.

All credit to Georgia who fought tooth and nail for a point, but they just couldn't get it.

Arda Guler proved his worth with a second-half stunner, and then the Turkish sealed the deal at the very end.

For me, that was the best game of the tournament.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

In Georgia's last-gasp desperation, goalkeeper Mamardashvili is sent into the box, and as a result, Turkey get their third.

They break away, Akturkoglu is all on his own and just sprints inside the box to finish into an empty net.

Euphoria for Turkey, heartbreak for Georgia.

Akaydin has just saved Turkey!

Georgia look they are about to level things but the Turkish defender throws his head at the ball to stop a certain goal.

I can't believe it.

That was the moment for Georgia and it goes begging!

What happened there?

Both Kochorashvili and Mikautadze attack the ball at the same time from six yards out, and it ends up bouncing wide.

The former is the player who gets the touch, but he should have left it for Mikautadze.

That should be that now.

That will be a welcomed sight to Georgia, there will be six minutes of stoppage time for them to find an equaliser.

They won't have to deal with Hakan Calhanoglu anymore either, he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Ozcan.

WOW! Mamardashvili, what a save!

Somehow the Georgia keeper reacts quick enough to deny Yazıcı from netting Turkey's third.

The attacker latches onto a lovely cross at the back header and he looked set to score, but Mamardashvili did so, so well.

Turkey's man of the moment in the first Muldur has played his last minute of the match, he is replaced by Çelik to rapturous applause.

Yildiz also makes way and Aktürkoğlu is the man that comes on for him.

Meanwhile, Georgia also make a change. Zivzivadze gets his chance and he is on for Kverkvelia.

Now that would have been another stunner.

Kvaratskhelia tires the spectacular by acrobatically throwing his body at the ball in an attempt to score an overhead kick.

He completely misses the ball from Mikautadze's teasing cross, and in the process, he hurts himself.

It doesn't look great...

Arda Guler receives a standing ovation, and it's fully deserved.

The man who as it stands has scored the match-winner walks off the pitch to be substituted, with a smile on his face.

The man that comes on in the youngster's place - Yazıcı.

There is a break in play as Muldur receives some treatment for cramp, well, that's what it looks like.

It allows Turkey some time to get some more instructions. I mean, after the goal they have actually struggled.

Less than 15 more minutes of this sensational match to go.

Well, this is very surprising.

Chakvetadze's evening is over, he is being substituted for whatever reason, even though he has been brilliant.

He is replaced by Davitashvili, meanwhile, Lochoshvili also enters the fray.

He comes on for Tsitaishvili.

What a response that would have been from Georgia.

While the Turkey fans were still chanting in celebration, Kochorashvili gets forward, takes a lovely touch to free himself in the area, and then crashes an effort against the bar.

This match is relentless, and the scoring doesn't seem like it's over yet. Georgia are still in this.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

Signal Iduna Park is rocking, right now.

As soon as that ball hit the net, the stadium had lift-off, and pandemonium then ensued.

I must admit, even I made a noise when the goal went in. What a ripsnorter.

WHAT A STUNNER FROM GULER!

Call off the goal of the tournament competition, nothing is beating that.

We thought we had seen a screamer already, well Guler has just put the opener to shame.

The forward picks up the ball from 35 yards out and smashes it into the top-left corner, Mamardashvili has no chance.

That is why Real Madrid paid the money...

What did I say again?

Every time I saw one team takes control, the other regains it. Georgia suddenly get a hold of the ball again and nearly make Turlkey pay.

But Kvaratskhelia can't get on the end of a well-worked move fro close range. If he got any sort of touch, it would probably be 2-1 to the Georgians.

He didn't, though.

Turkey have refound their form.

They are hammering at the Georgia door now, and Hakan Calhanoglu is once again at the heart of it.

After a period of sustained pressure, he has a crack at goal, but his effort is deflected just wide.

From the corner, Mamardashvili collects. A bit of respite for Georgia.

What a hit that is, and in turn, a big save comes with it.

Hakan Calhanoglu powers the free-kick down the throat of Mamardashvili, and the keeper beats it away with a strong hand.

The Turkey captain just needed to pick a corner, with that sort of power it would have been a goal, for certain.

Turkey want a penalty, but they aren't getting it.

Arda Guler drives into the box and goes down under the challenge of Kochorashvili, but it's never a spot-kick.

However, they do have a free-kick just outside the area after an earlier infringement.

Hakan is rubbing his hands together here...

That is a monumental block from Bardakci!

Georgia really are full of confidence, they are not scared to take this game to Turkey.

Kvaratskhelia pings a lovely driven pass into Mikautadze's feet, the latter turns on it and his strike looks goal-bound, but Bardakci puts his body on the line to deny him.

The drama, I can't take it!

It seems we are going to carry on in the same vein as the first half.

The basketball-like nature continues as Georgia flood forward. Tsitaishvili tries to turn Turkey's defence inside out.

He does well to fashion some space inside the area, but his strike from a tight angle is comfortably held by Gunok.

Oh my, Turkey nearly re-take the lead inside a minute.

I'm not sure how they haven't, in truth. Muldur is six yards out but can't turn the ball home, and Mamardashvili collects.

How is it that the full-back can net a screamer from outside the box, but fail to connect properly from close range.

Right then, we are back underway in Dortmund.

If we get anything like we just saw in the first half, we are in for a treat. I have my fingers crossed.

Who will get the job done?

Jermaine Jenas, ex-England midfielder, speaking on BBC One about Gerogia's goal:

This is the moment Georgian fans have been craving for so, so long, and it finally came in the 32nd minute.

Georges Mikautadze's equaliser was the country's first goal in a major international tournament.

You could tell from the celebrations how much it meant to all of them. Truly special.

I could watch this over, and over again.

The technique that is required to score a volley like this is simply ridiculous. It really is special.

Considering Muldur is a full-back, I' not sure he will ever net a better goal in his career.

He will be watching this on repeat this evening.

Now that half of football is why I love this competition.

I'd be inclined to say that this has been the best match of the tournament, so far. We have been treated to a cracker.

After a brilliant start by Turkey, they opened the scoring through a storming volley, by Muldur - one of the best I have seen of late.

And then, chaos ensued. Just a minute later they thought they had two, but it was chalked off, and Georgia went up the other end and equalised.

It has been pure theatre in Dortmund.

Is that all?

Only one minute of stoppage time has been allocated despite all the action we have seen, including a VAR check.

You just can't take your eyes off this match for a second.

Turkey are looking to try and get their noses in front again before the break, but Yilmaz's cross ends up in the arms of Mamardashvili.

We are just moments from half-time now - I really don't want this match to have a break.

I think I have just taken my first breath in about 15 minutes.

This game has been dazzling, incredible non-stop action. Turkey have finally composed themselves are spending five minutes on the defensive.

Calhanoglu tries to use his set-piece qualities from distance, but his free-kick is poor.

I get why he went for it, though, he is known for scoring screamers from dead-ball situations.

Oh, Mikautadze, you should have two!

I thought Georgia were about to take the lead, I was certain the net would ripple, but it doesn't.

The Georgian goalscorer is in again, but this time he squirts his effort just wide of the mark.

Suddenly, it's all Georgia. I can't keep up...

We finally have a post not related to a goal.

Instead, we have our first booking and it goes to Turkey player. Bardakci makes one foul too many and gets a yellow for it.

He really can't complain.

Oh my word, Georgia are level!

I said this game is chaotic, and it has just taken another twist. Just minutes after thinking they were two goals behind they are level.

Mikautadze scores the country's first-ever goal in an international major tournament.

He gets on the end of Kochorashvili's cutback and squeezes the ball past Gunok and inside the near post.

The celebrations show just how much it means, incredible!

The joy is short-lived for Turkey.

This match is just pure carnage. It doesn't take long for VAR to rule out the goal, and it's the right decision.

Yildiz just drifted too far in front of his man.

The quick one-two from Turkey!

Just as I was typing the first goal up, Yildiz taps home from close range to doubles Turkey's lead.

Oh wait, has he?

I think he is offside here, and it looks like the semi-automated offside is going to come into play here.

WHAT A GOAL THAT IS!

Muldur has just sent Signal Iduna Park into raptures with one of the best volleys I have ever seen at the European Championship.

The full-back is lurking on the edge of the box and Kadioglu clips it over to him.

It sits up so sweetly and Muldur thumps it into the top corner.

The celebrations are crazy, and the noise is deafening. What a goal.

In the first battle between the star men, it's Arda Guler who comes out on top.

The Real Madrid man is not in his usual position, he is forced to defend Kvaratskhelia as he runs at him.

And defend he does, he nicks the ball from the Georgian winger and simply strokes it into the middle of the park.

Hakan Calhanoglu has his first crack of the match.

In truth, it's not the best. the ball ounces up to a hittable height for the Inter Milan man, and he obliges.

But he doesn't connect very well with the half-volley and the ball bobbles harmlessly wide.

He throws his hands up in disdain, he was not happy with that strike...

I couldn't agree more, Matt.

Tsitaishvili is on the ball and about to deliver a cross and all you can hear are jeers echoing around the ground.

They turn to claps within seconds because the ball ends up in Gunok's hands, and he sets Turkey on their way again.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

Right, we have a bit of respite.

The last few minutes were a bit like a basketball match, every time that I looked at the ball has changed ends.

Overall, though, Turkey have been dominant. Now they have just toned down the pressure a little bit as they try to figure out how to fashion more openings.

This has been a fantastic watch, so far.

This game is being played at a crazy pace.

Now it's Georgia's turn to start causing problems and after sustained pressure, Kvaratskhelia blasts over the bar from outside the area.

That's a warning to Turkey that they will not have this all their own way.

Oh my word, that is some hit from Ayhan!

The ball falls to Turkey's number 22 on the edge of the area, and he decides to pull the trigger.

The shot has a lot of power behind it and it smashes against the post. Ayhan can't believe it.

Neither can I, I thought that was going in, I really did,.

Turkey's corners are causing all sorts of chaos.

Once again they get a sight of goal from one, this time it is Bardakci who gets his head on the end of it.

It's a good effort, but it dribbles just past the post...

We have our first proper chance of the game, and it has fallen to Turkey.

Unsurprisingly, it is one of their key men that fashions the opening, Hakan Calhanoglu.

He is such a danger when on set pieces, and he whips in a delightful corner onto the head of Ayhan, but the latter can't keep his effort on target.

That's a decent chance, Turkey have started well.

Stop that, Kvaratskhelia!

He has got on the ball twice already and looks a real threat, on the second occasion he even manages a cheeky nutmeg.

He is a pleasure to watch in full flow.

The pressure is completely on Turkey this evening, while it is just a free hit for Georgia, they can have fun.

It takes two minutes for the Georgians to get the ball, and they are booed instantly. It's basically a Turkish crowd.

Only 30 seconds later there are cheers as Turkey win the ball back and try to mount an attack.

Guler tries to clip a ball to Yilmaz at the back post, but he overhits it.

The noise in Dortmund is deafening, and the fans are bouncing - it truly is a sight to behold.

Georgia get the ball rolling to a huge roar, and now their first major tournament is underway.

What a feat!

I pulled the trigger a little early on that last post.

Turkey are now singing their national anthem, and my word is it loud. Practically the whole stadium is joining in and that is some noise.

I have goosebumps...

The wait is over for Georgia, here they come.

Both teams arise from the Signal Iduna Park tunnel to huge roars from the crowd, which is full of Turkey fans.

And you can hear those fans at full volume as Georgia's anthem is sung, they are booing it nearly all the way through.

Hopefully, the Georgian players can ignore that and still enjoy such a proud moment for their country.

Just kick-off to come now...

Ashley Williams, former Wales captain, on BBC One:

As I said, we are nearly there.

Both teams have gone through the motions of their warm-up and are now back in the changing rooms.

As I type this, both managers will be giving their final words to the players. After that, it's down to who is out on the pitch.

These are pivotal moments. I'd love to be a fly on the wall/

The rain has stopped, and so have the fights. We are nearly ready to go.

The atmosphere has turned from gloomy, to vibrant. What a difference the weather can make, eh?

Songs are being sung by both sets of fans, they are really up for this one, and so am I.

Are you?

Today is absolutely huge for the nation of Georgia.

In just under 20 minutes time, their football team will step out onto the pitch for their first-ever game in a major tournament.

The fact that they are here is impressive in its own regard, but now they have the chance to make a statement.

Can they make even more national history this evening?

Reading the sub-heading, you probably already know who I am on about.

Yes, it's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - the hardest name to pronounce in football.

Known as Kvaradona to Georgian supporters, the winger is known for his bamboozling skills, and ability to turn defences inside out.

His first season at Napoli saw him win the Scudetto in 2023, and in turn, a lot of admirers came with it after his performances.

He holds his country's hopes on his shoulders, and although he is coming off the back of a poor campaign, when he is on form he can cause any team problems.

Keep your eyes peeled for some silky skills.

We have some good news coming from Signal Iduna Park...

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

Among all the chaos, the team news was actually released.

I know many of you will recognise some of the names in the Turkey camp, including Hakan Calhanoglu, the Inter Milan star.

Now, this post may have taken so long to come out because Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's name is so hard to spell.

The Napoli-man is the star player for Georgia, he will be looking to get them off to a flyer.

So, as we have already stated, it's not looking good ahead of this game.

There have been some ugly scenes in the stands, both weather-wise and fighting-wise.

Photos are starting to arrive of what is actually going on in Signal Iduna Park, and hopefully, it can all be sorted out soon.

Not good whatsoever...

It really is all happening Dortmund...

The rain is ramping up by the second alongside the chaotic scenes in the stands. This match really is in danger.

We will keep you up to date with what is happening, and the status of this match. First, read the situation below.

It's not looking good.

Violent scenes have broken out between Turkey and Georgia before this afternoon's game.

These scenes coupled with the horrendous weather could lead to a postponement...

Let's hope that doesn't happen!

Waterfalls are breaking up all around the stadium.

There are glum faces everywhere you look at Signal Iduna Park, the fans are getting absolutely drenched.

There doesn't seem to be much cover...

Willy Sagnolwas appointed Georgia manager back in February 2021, and lost seven out of his first nine games in a dreadful start for the former French international.

The turning point came in October that year. Following defeat by Greece, Sagnol's men went 11 unbeaten, which included an impressive 2-0 win over Sweden.

Sagnol, a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich in his playing days, soon earned the respect from Georgia fans. He was then immortalised in Georgian football when he oversaw a nail-biting shootout victory against Greece in March.

Turkey topped Group D, ahead of World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, and Wales. They won five and drew two of their eight fixtures, with Armenia and Latvia also in the group. Turkey's only defeat came courtesy of Croatia in March 2023.

Turkey's best performance at the European Championships was a semi-final spot in 2008, but they will be eager to put in a strong showing in Germany this summer.

The heavens have opened in Germany ahead of this afternoon's fixture between Turkey and Georgia. However, it hasn't seem to the put the fans off.

They've been seen making their way to the stadium covered head-to-toe in their nation's kit - embracing every second and soaking up occasion (as well as the rain).

Guler made a name for himself at Fenerbahce, and attracted interest from across Europe - which led to a move to Real Madrid last summer.

Earlier this month, he became the fastest player to score six goals in LaLiga, claiming the total in just 330 minutes of playing time, including a goal on his first start at the end of April.

Artificial Intelligence also predicted Guler woould be a future winner of the Ballon d'Or, in 2038, and this tournament is a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself on an international stage.

The squad also includes three Serie A players: Hakan Calhanoglu, who won the Scudetto at Inter Milan, teenage talent Kenan Yildiz at Juventus, and Roma's defender Zeki Celik.

Manchester United goalkeeperAltay Bayindir will be hoping to deny goals from Turkey's group stage rivals.

Turkey will be keen to regain the confidence of their fans - and the wider footballing public - when they begin their Euro 2024 campaign this evening.

Italian manager Vincenzo Montella has been in place since September of last year, and he is tasked with taking them out of Group F, where they will come up against Georgia, Portugal and Czechia.

Real Madrid teenager Arda Guler is one young star to look out for among the Turkey contingent, which also includes three stars in Serie A, including Hakan Calhanoglu, who won the Italian league with Inter.

Hello and welcome to this afternoon's live blog for Turkey's game with Georgia. Make sure you stayed tuned and I will be bringing live updates throughout as the European Championship debutants Georgia look to cause an upset in Germany.