19-year-old Real Madrid star Arda Güler stole the spotlight in the second half of a fascinating contest between Turkey and Georgia that opened Group F of Euro 2024.
Putting Turkey 2-1 up with a powerful, curling strike that gave Giorgi Mamardashvili no chance in the Georgia goal, Güler announced himself on the international stage in no uncertain terms.
Georgia showed pride throughout, however, and almost equalised late on before Kerem Aktürkoğlu sealed the deal with an open goal after Mamardashvili was sent up for a corner.
Here are the player ratings from a breathless contest:
Mert Günok - 5
Experienced stopper Günok made three saves as the Turkish backline were put under more pressure than they were probably expecting.
The 35-year-old could have done better for the Georgia goal, though, when he was slow to get down to Georges Mikautadze’s near-post effort.
Mert Müldür - 8
In 99% of games, his sensational volley would have been remembered as they goal of the game.
Unfortunately for him, Güler took that title with his eventual wonder goal.
Müldür’s finish arrowed into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance and lighting the game on fire in the 25th minute.
The right-back also kept Georgia’s star man quiet for the majority of the game, restricting Kvaratskhelia to very little.
Samet Akaydın - 8
Güler’s goal will be the moment that is remembered for securing the three points, but Akaydin’s headed block in injury time was just as crucial, preventing what was a certain goal.
The 30-year-old showed brilliant fight to get his nation over the line.
Abdülkerim Bardakci - 5
The Galatasaray man wasn’t quite as impressive at centre-half as Akaydin for the Turks.
Mikautadze cleverly evaded him inside the box which led to Georgia’s only goal, which came after he picked up an early booking for pulling back the Georgian striker, who caused major problems.
Ferdi Kadioglu - 8
Kadioglu was very effective down the left side for Vincenzo Montella’s men, getting up and down the wing and putting in the cross which led to Müldür’s opening goal.
Kaan Ayhan - 7
The holding midfielder did exactly what was needed from him throughout, protecting the defence alongside Calhanoglu and making it difficult for the opposition to penetrate the backline.
Ayhan almost opened the scoring in the 10th minute too as he rifled a low effort against the inside of the post.
Hakan Calhanoglu - 7
Turkey’s captain makes football look easy at times; he effortlessly ticked play over in the midfield and controlled the tempo when needed.
His impact going forward was limited, apart from a ferocious free-kick which forced Mamardashvili into a good stop.
Arda Güler - 8
The 19-year-old took the game into his own hands in the second half and curled in the goal of the tournament so far from 25 yards out.
It showed all the quality that lured Real Madrid into signing the youngster. His pace and trickery caused the Georgian defence problems all evening before he was subbed off with ten minutes left.
Orkun Kökcü - 5
The Benfica man perhaps wasn’t as effective as he usually is for Turkey, despite some good touches that created chances.
Kökcü will be disappointed by his miss mid-way through the second half, however, when he failed to connect properly from close range.
Kenan Yıldız - 6
The 19-year-old worked well in tandem with Kadioglu at times but found it hard to find clear sights of goal throughout, apart from a disallowed goal in the first half.
Baris Yilmaz - 6
Yilmaz unfortunately didn’t have much impact from a central position in the first half but was involved more when he moved out to the right in the second period.
Substitutes:
Yusuf Yazıcı - 5
The striker had a golden opportunity to put the game to bed almost immediately after coming onto the pitch, but his headed effort was central in the net and was saved.
Merit Demiral - 6
The 26-year-old was brought on to solidify things at the back and succeeded in his task, despite a few close calls.
Zeki Celik - 7
The aforementioned Yazici chance was beautifully set up by Celik, who should’ve got an assist to his name in the short time he was on the pitch.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu - 7
The 25-year-old netted one of the simplest goals of his career in the short time he was on, running away and slotting the ball into the empty net after Mamardashvili had come up to attack a corner.
Salih Ozcän - N/A
The highly-rated stopper had no chance with all three goals, with two world-class strikes and a third when he was up attacking a corner in the final moments.
Mamardashvili did show some of his impressive ability in the second half when he made a number of impressive saves.
Solomon Kverkveliya - 6
Kverkveliya was solid overall and completed 94% of his attempted passes, the most of any player in the starting line-ups.
Guram Kashia (C) - 6
Kashia's story is an incredible one and he has been an important part of Georgia’s rise at the age of 36.
The veteran showed that experience throughout with a valiant performance.
Lasha Dvali - 6
Like the other two centre-backs, it was a solid performance from Dvali who had to deal with Güler in the first half and then Yilmaz in the second. The 29-year-old made an impressive six blocks during the match.
Otar Kakabadze - 8
One of Georgia’s standout performers, Kakabadze showed great attacking and defensive quality when his nation were under severe pressure.
The right wing-back is definitely one to watch out for during the rest of Georgia’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Giorgi Kochorashvili - 8
Kochorashvili was outstanding, barring his miss in injury time at the end of the game from inside the area.
His general play was fantastic, setting up the goal for Mikautadze while also sweeping up with some important challenges at the back, a brilliant performance.
Anzor Makvabishvili - 6
Makvabishvili anchored the midfield while Kochorashvili and Chakvetadze joined plenty of attacks. A solid performance in his role against Turkey’s talented midfielders.
Giorgi Chakvetadze - 7
The Watford man fed the ball through to Mikautadze and Kvaratskhelia all evening, being involved in most of Georgia’s forward play.
The 24-year-old proved why he made 34 Championship appearances last term.
Heorhiy Tsitaishvili - 4
Tsitaishvili struggled with the pace and trickery of Güler and Yilmaz, with a lot of joy for the Turks coming down his side. He also gave the ball away when under pressure for Güler’s goal.
Georges Mikautadze - 8
Despite being isolated for much of the first half, Mikautadze battled well and took his chance clinically, slotting a finish inside the near post.
The young striker caused Turkey’s backline a number of issues throughout the contest.
Kvaratskheila could not get the better of the Turkish defence and struggled to find the final ball at times.
Without doubt, he has the most ability in Willy Sagnol’s team, but he was not the main performer in this one.
Substitutes:
Zuriko Davitashvilli - 6
The young forward showed lots of energy and endeavour in the final moments trying to secure an equaliser, but he did not receive any chances of note.
Luka Lochoschvili - 6
Brought on for Tsitaishvili for the last ten minutes, Lochoschvili struggled to make an impact.
Budu Zivizadze - N/A
Sandro Altunashvili - N/A
