(Dortmund) Arda Güler solidified his reputation as a young European star by scoring a superb second-half goal to help Turkey beat Georgia 3-1 in one of two matches on the European Championship schedule soccer, Tuesday.
In a Group F clash played in an atmosphere of intensity and excitement, the 19-year-old forward broke down the right and sent a powerful shot into the top corner in the 65th minute, breaking the 1-1 tie.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu, on a breakaway, scored the third Turkish goal in the final seconds of added time.
Georgia, a South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people, making its debut in an international soccer tournament amid protests and political unrest at home, has experienced a watershed moment.
The Georgian players coped well with the intimidating atmosphere created by the Turkish fans and responded to Mert Müldür’s volley for the Turks in the 25th minute with an equalizer from Georges Mikautadze in the 32nd minute.
Güler’s play was crucial, however, and it was the latest in a string of goals scored from outside the penalty area since the start of this European Championship.
It is also a further demonstration of Güler’s talent, which was evident when he scored five goals in five games in a Real Madrid uniform, to end a Spanish championship season that he largely missed due to injuries. He was on the sidelines and did not play in the Champions League final won by Real Madrid.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick risks giving him even less playing time next season, even if Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach, is aware that he has a jewel in the person of Güler.
Georgia, ranked 75th in the world – last among the countries participating in the European Championship – could easily have snatched a point in a fast-paced match.
In stoppage time, with the score still 2-1, Georgia took a free kick that hit the post before a rebound shot was cleared off the line.
