Turkey vs Georgia - LIVE!

Arda Guler’s sensational second-half strike sent Turkey on their way to a 3-1 win over Georgia in a hugely-entertaining opening clash in Group F at Euro 2024. These two sides have had to wait over the first few days of the tournament to get their chance to feature, and there was a danger that wait could be extended ahead of kick-off, as torrential rain fell in Dortmund and created waterfalls from the roof at Signal Iduna Park.

The rain did ease though and allowed a match of thrilling pace to be played, with Kaan Ayhan smacking an early effort against the post. Turkey did get their deserved first-half lead, when Mert Muldur, up from right-back, volleyed a stunning effort into the top corner. But Georgia, making their debut at a major tournament, levelled it up before the break. Giorgi Kochorashvili drifted into the box, fired a low ball into the middle and Georges Mikautadze squeezed a first-time finish in at the near post.

It left the match firmly in the balance heading into half-time, and it remained that way until Real Madrid’s Guler took centre stage midway through the second period. He picked the ball up 25 yards out and whipped a wonderful effort into the top corner, leaving the stadium bouncing. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s late free-kick smacked back off the post, before a remarkable block from Samet Akaydin denied Georgia what looked to be a certain equaliser. They threw everything at it, their race only run when Akturkoglu broke away and had the final say.

Turkey vs Georgia latest news

• GOAL! Turkey seal victory with final kick

• GOAL! Sensational strike from Guler

• GOAL! Mikautadze gets Georgia level

• NO GOAL! Yilmiz finish ruled out for offside

• GOAL! Stunning Muldur volley gives Turkey lead

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19:12 , Matt Verri

Arda Guler’s sensational second-half strike sent Turkey on their way to a 3-1 win over Georgia in a hugely-entertaining opening clash in Group F at Euro 2024.

The Real Madrid striker’s goal looked like being the difference, until Georgia piled forward in search of a stoppage-time equaliser and, with the goalkeeper up, Kerem Akturkoglu rolled the ball into an empty net with the final kick.

Read our full report here!

FT: Turkey 3-1 Georgia

18:58 , Matt Verri

And that is full-time.

Turkey get their opening win, but that was a mighty effort from Georgia in their debut appearance at a major tournament. Inches away from a point.

Superb match, maybe the best one of Euro 2024 so far.

GOAL! Turkey 3-1 Georgia | Kerem Akturkoglu 90+7

18:56 , Matt Verri

That will do it!

Turkey break from the corner, nobody in goal for Georgia and Akturkoglu can stroll forward, tucking the ball into the empty net.

Start the party!

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:56 , Matt Verri

90+6 mins: Free-kick Georgia, the goalkeeper is up!

OFF THE POST... AND OVER THE BAR!

How is it not 2-2? Kvaratskhelia’s ball in hits the post, and it’s then a stunning block from Akaydin.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:53 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: THAT WAS THE MOMENT!

Kvaratskhelia on the left, he puts it into the middle. Mikautadze and Kochorashvili both swing at the same ball, and it bobbles wide.

They were both completely free, six yards out.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:52 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Turkey keep giving the ball away, they’re making it hard for themselves.

They win a throw here though - going to take their sweet time.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:49 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Six minutes added on!

Turkey fans have gone a bit quiet in the stadium. Not so comfortable...

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:49 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Calhanoglu with a cynical foul to stop the counter, that will be a yellow card.

Free-kick swung in deep, Turkey deal with it and clear the danger. This is set up for a nervy finish though...

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:47 , Matt Verri

87 mins: That should have been game over.

Yazici off the bench and nearly immediately on the scoresheet. Picked out at the back post, powers the header at goal and it’s a brilliant save.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:45 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Lengthy delay, but we’re back up and running.

The Georgia star is fine to continue, and that pause means we’re probably going to get a fair bit of stoppage-time.

Turkey aren’t home yet.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:42 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Kvaratskhelia throws the kitchen sink at an overhead kick... makes no contact.

Bardakci, again, rises highest to head the ball clear. Napoli man stays down, he took an elbow in the process.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:38 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Georgia not looking quite as dangerous when they are met with a wall of red shirts.

They have had good moments on the counter, but breaking down a team is a tougher test. Turkey looking comfortable at the moment.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:34 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Davitashvili and Lochoshvili are on for Georgia.

They are dominating possession now, Turkey sitting right back. Would not back against a second Georgia goal...

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:29 , Matt Verri

70 mins: OFF THE BAR!

Georgia nearly level. Brilliant footwork in the box from Kochorashvili, seems to do everything right but the shot smacks back off the woodwork.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:28 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Should be 3-1, Turkey are on the charge.

Kadioglu is clean through, should go for goal but instead cuts it back. Kokcu loses his balance and the shot just loops up.

Turkey 2-1 Georgia

18:27 , Matt Verri

68 mins: It is bouncing again in Dortmund, the Turkey fans are in full on party mode. No surprise there.

Have Georgia got another response in them? Still plenty of time.

GOAL! Turkey 2-1 Georgia | Arda Guler 65'

18:25 , Matt Verri

WOW!

This might be better than the first Turkey goal.

Guler, 25 yards out, on his left foot and he whips a stunning strike into the top corner. As good as it gets.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:22 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Georgia continue to offer a threat on the counter.

Tsitaishvili cuts it back, Kvaratskhelia on the stretch and he can only poke an effort wide of the far post.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:20 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Muldur, after that first-half volley, thinks he is capable of scoring from anywhere. Can’t blame him.

Latest effort is blocked, one of three or four shots from distance in the space of 30 seconds. Not much patience from Turkey.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:16 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Calhanoglu basically telling everyone to get out of his way. There will be nobody else getting near this ball. Free-kick, about 25 yards out. Perfect angle.

He goes for maximum power, it’s swerving and Mamardashvili sticks out a really strong hand to turn it away.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Better spell for Turkey, pinning Georgia back. Haven’t done this since the early stages of the match.

Kverkvelia shown a yellow card, he went flying in on Ayhan. Doesn’t bother to complain.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:11 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Brilliant defending!

Kvaratskhelia skips away from a couple of defenders and picks out Mikautadze, who swivels in the box and gets a shot away.

Two red shirts come flying in the block.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:09 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Georgia away down the right, offside flag stay down.

Clipped to Tsitaishvili at the back post, he chops inside and out before finally getting the shot away. Straight at the goalkeeper.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

18:06 , Matt Verri

46 mins: Massive chance for Turkey inside 30 seconds.

Yilmaz fires a low cross into the middle, Muldur has popped up in the six-yard box and it just bounces off.

Any decent contact and it was a goal.

Back underway!

18:04 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running again in Dortmund!

And the response from Georgia

17:58 , Matt Verri

Their first ever goal at a major tournament!

Maybe some questions over the goalkeeping, but it’s a really sharp first-time effort at the near post.

How Turkey took the lead...

17:52 , Matt Verri

Outrageous finish from Muldur - not bad for a right back!

HT: Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:49 , Matt Verri

That’s half-time, really enjoyable 45 minutes.

There’s been a crazy pace to the match, both sides playing their part in a great opening Group F match.

Muldur’s stunner opened the scoring, but Georgia hit back through Mikautadze.

Game on.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:47 , Matt Verri

45 mins: One minute added on.

Yilmaz briefly down holding his calf, got a kick on the back of the leg. He’s fine to continue.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:46 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Turkey corner, they’ve started to recover after that really rocky spell.

Yilmaz whips in a ball with plenty of pace, but straight at the goalkeeper. Georgia slowing things down, they’d be delighted to get to half-time now.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Kadioglu has just tried his luck from 45 yards out. Maybe 50.

First time, too, just to make things a bit more difficult for himself. Ball just about stays inside the stadium.

He’d be wise not to look over at his manager on the touchline.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:41 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Kokcu tripped 30 yards out, free-kick for Turkey in a good position.

Calhanoglu dinks it in, ball drops dangerously in the box before Georgia just about scramble it away.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:39 , Matt Verri

37 mins: This is a mess from Turkey now, they are so rattled at the back.

Kvaratskhelia in space on the left, tries to work room for the shot but he’s closed down. Georgia came again though - Turkey can’t get out. What a turnaround this has been.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:37 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Dear me, Turkey are suddenly being pulled apart.

What a move from Georgia, the red shirts are carved open and it’s nodded into the path of Mikautadze... just wide.

Georgia inches away from taking the lead.

Turkey 1-1 Georgia

17:36 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Well that has, for now, quietened the Turkish fans.

It was brilliant work from Kochorashvili to set up that goal. Georgia all of a sudden playing with real confidence.

Bardakci the first player into the book, drags Mikautadze back as he turns him.

GOAL! Turkey 1-1 Georgia | Georges Mikautadze 32'

17:34 , Matt Verri

Decent spell of Georgia possession, their best of the match. It’s at least calmed things down.

AND NOW THEY’RE LEVEL!

Brilliant moment for them. Low ball into the middle, Mikautadze with the first-time finish and it squirms in at the near post.

Turkey 1-0 Georgia

17:31 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Turkey are up, their fans are up... dangerous moments for Georgia.

They get on the attack themselves here, though. Tsitaishvili from a tight angle, wins a corner as his shot is turned behind.

NO GOAL!

17:29 , Matt Verri

Yes it is - goal chalked off.

Georgia need to take a break, they are in danger of being blown away.

GOAL! Turkey 2-0 Georgia | Kenan Yildiz 27'

17:29 , Matt Verri

IT’S TWO!

Yildiz at the back post, he can’t miss as the ball comes across the face of goal.

Is it offside though?

GOAL! Turkey 1-0 Georgia | Mert Muldur 25'

17:27 , Matt Verri

IT WORKS THERE!

Sensational strike. Ball clipped to the back post, it’s headed out to the edge of the area where Muldur thunders a volley into the top corner. Outrageous.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:26 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Georgia have been decent on the ball, but they haven’t really troubled Turkey yet. Only had 30% possession so far.

Turkey, meanwhile, are failing willing to shoot from anyone within three miles of the goal. Not working for them at the moment.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:23 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Kadioglu, who has regularly been linked with Arsenal, has made a good start. Getting forward well from left-back.

Plays the ball inside to Calhanoglu, who gets an acrobatic effort away but it’s never troubling the goalkeeper.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:19 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Turkey continue to dominate possession, Georgia have only really had a couple of chances to leave their own half.

Calhanoglu forces things there, though. Ball over the top is straight through to the goalkeeper.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:16 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Ambitious from Yildiz, skipping into the box and hammering an effort at goal from a tight angle.

Mamardashvili wouldn’t have been expecting that, but he reacts and gathers the ball at the second time of asking.

It will be a miracle if this finishes 0-0. And yes that has probably jinxed it.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:14 , Matt Verri

12 mins: More like it from Georgia, their first attack and Gunok is forced into a sharp save from a deflected effort.

Initial corner is cleared, comes back to Mikautadze and whips an effort beyond the far post.

This is a brilliant watch.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:12 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Off the post... and wide!

As close as you can get. Ayhan with the first-time strike from the edge of the area, catches it so sweetly.

Low, smacks off the inside of the post, rolls across the face of goal and out of play.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:11 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Turkey keen to put the ball into the box at every opportunity, testing this Georgian defence. Another corner coming up.

Guler with the out-swinger, Bardakci attacks it and it just hits him in the end, trickling wide.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:08 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Serious pace to the match already, it’s relentless.

Calhanoglu gets his first chance to put a set-piece in the middle, as Turkey win a corner. Great delivery, but the ball bobbles wide of the far post.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:06 , Matt Verri

4 mins: It’s all Turkey so far. Yilmaz is holding the ball up really well.

Guler clips a cross to the back post, Kokcu has made a good run but it floats over his head.

There are deafening boos every time Georgia touch the ball. Crazy loud.

Turkey 0-0 Georgia

17:04 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Confident start from Turkey, knocking the ball around well. Georgia happy to let them have it for now.

Long ball pinged over the top, Yilmaz looks to be in on goal but there’s just too much on it.

KICK-OFF!

17:02 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running in Dortmund!

16:59 , Matt Verri

First time Georgia get to hear their anthem played at a major football tournament.

Or at least that’s what they hoped - it’s very difficult to hear anything with the boos from the Turkish fans. They take pity and easy off halfway through.

Turkish anthem blasted out... we’re ready to get up and running.

16:55 , Matt Verri

Here come the players, out onto the pitch and met with a wall of noise.

There are lots of Georgian fans, but it’s nothing compared to the number of Turkey fans inside the stadium. This will feel like a home match.

Here we go!

16:52 , Matt Verri

Teams are in the tunnel.

With Portugal still to come for both in Group E, this is a really important match.

Victory here, and they will be on the verge of sealing a place in the knockout stages already.

Tello takes charge...

16:45 , Matt Verri

Facundo Tello is the referee this evening, the first Argentinian to officiate a game at the European Championship.

It comes after UEFA and CONMEBOL agreed to share referees for their respective tournaments, with Tello the first to be involved.

Would recommend Georgia and Turkey are on their best behaviour here - Tello showed ten red cards in one match in 2022.

I would say we don’t want a repeat of that here... but it would be very funny.

Georgia relishing underdog tag

16:35 , Matt Verri

Georgia the lowest ranked team at Euro 2024, competing in their first ever major tournament.

They finished fourth in their qualifying group, but earned a spot in the play-offs through the Nations League and then edged past Luxembourg and Greece.

The next ten days or so are a massive step-up, but boss Willy Sagnol is confident they can rise to the challenge.

"We are somewhat the wildcard, slipping into this tournament rather unnoticed," said boss Sagnol.

"What's certain is that whether we're playing Portugal, Czech Republic or Turkey, we will never give up and give everything we have."

The Red Wall

16:29 , Matt Verri

For most of the year, we have the Yellow Wall in Dortmund.

Well, Turkey fans have taken it over this evening. Red shirts near enough everywhere you look inside the stadium, but particularly behind that goal.

Few sides as well backed in Germany as Turkey.

Good news on the weather front...

16:17 , Matt Verri

The rain has eased in Dortmund, with the ground staff dealing with the standing water around the pitch.

The waterfall situation with the roof has improved too... things are all looking up.

Should be good to go for a 5pm kick-off.

Teams are out!

16:14 , Matt Verri

Pretty much as we expected from both sides, no major shocks in the team news.

Real Madrid teenager Arda Guler starts for Turkey, plenty of excitement around him, while all eyes for Georgia are on Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Georgia team news

16:07 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Mamardashvili, Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Dvali, Kakabadze, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Tsitaishvili, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia

Subs: Zivzivadze, Davitashvili, Kvilitaia, Gugeshashvili, Gocholeishvili, Lochoshvili,Gvelesiani, Kvekveskiri, Kiteishvili, Altunashvili, Shengelia, Lobjanidze, Tabidze, Sigua

Turkey team news

16:05 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Gunok, Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Kadioglu, Calhanoglu, Ayhan, Guler, Kokcu, Yildiz, Yilmaz

Subs: Celik, Demiral, Yokuslu, Akturkoglu, Tosun, Yazici, Bayindir, Kaplan, Ozcan,Yuksek, Cakir, Kilicsoy, Akgun, Yildirim

Get the brooms out!

16:03 , Matt Verri

Fair few trying to sweep away all the water - not sure they’re going to have much luck!

The roof has basically given up in the corners of the stadium, effectively got waterfalls now.

Fans aren’t rushing to take their seats...

Police forced to intervene

16:02 , Matt Verri

There has been a clash between the two sets of fans inside the stadium.

Objects were being thrown, and a small number then rushed into the corner of the stand to confront each other.

Police arrived and have restored order, separating the two groups.

It's not brightening up

15:53 , Matt Verri

Still the rain falls, getting heavier if anything.

Standing water is being swept away, but the pitch is taking a battering. Danger it could have an impact on kick-off.

Lovely afternoon for it...

15:43 , Matt Verri

It is absolutely pouring down in Dortmund!

Going to take a lot to dampen the spirits of the Turkish fans, but the weather is giving it a good go.

Stadium doing a pretty good impression of Old Trafford.

Dark horses again?

15:35 , Matt Verri

Wouldn’t be a Euros without Turkey being labelled dark horses.

It’s a bit quieter this time than it was three years, when many expected a strong showing from them at Euro 2020.

Three matches, three defeats and eight goals conceded later, Turkey were on their way home.

Would be fairly impressive if they don’t improve on that in Germany...

Montella: We can't let Turkey fans down

15:24 , Matt Verri

There are a HUGE number of Turkey fans in Dortmund for this match. Basically a home match for them.

Turkey were roared on by their fans in Berlin in November, when they beat Germany 3-2 in a friendly, and their manager Vincenzo Montella wants them to make the most of the noise again.

"We've already experienced this support having played in Germany. It's a big responsibility for us. We don't want to disappoint the Turkish people here nor the ones back home so we'll honour the flag right to the end," Montella said.

"We hadn't won in Germany for 72 years, we hadn't ever won away against Croatia (before beating them in qualifying) and we managed to do it, so it's the year of firsts."

Georgia did it the hard way!

15:11 , Matt Verri

Georgia had to come through the play-offs to earn a spot in Germany.

After 120 goalless minutes in their final with Greece, it went to a penalty shootout.

Georgia kept their nerve - spark wild celebrations!

Standard Sport prediction

15:01 , Matt Verri

Georgia have done incredibly well to get to Euro 2024, but this is now a major step up.

They are the lowest ranked side in the tournament and could struggle over the next few weeks, even if Turkey have plenty of questions to answer themselves.

Draw, 1-1.

Georgia team news

14:51 , Matt Verri

Experienced Georgia defender Solomon Kvirkvelia and midfielder Otar Kiteishvili are both doubts for their country’s tournament opener.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli is the minnows’ chief threat, but Metz striker Georges Mikautadze, 23, should also be kept an eye on.

Predicted Georgia XI: Mamardashvili; Kverkvelia, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Kiteishvili, Kochorashvili, Shengelia, Chakvetadze; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze

Turkey team news

14:41 , Matt Verri

An injury-ravaged Turkey team will be patched together for tonight’s Euro 2024 kick-off against Georgia.

Defenders Caglar Soyuncu, Ozan Kabak and Ridvan Yilmaz are all ruled out of the tournament leaving coach Vincenzo Montella with few options.

Uncapped Ajax youngster Ahmetcan Kaplan could feature alongside ex-Juventus man Merih Demiral, who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, alongside Fenerbache’s Ferdi Kadioglu who has been linked with Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer market.

Things are not much better in attack where Enes Unal, Cengiz Under and Umut Nayir are all injured.

A trio of teenagers; Arda Guler of Real Madrid, Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Besiktas’ Semih Kilicsoy are the alternatives to veteran striker Cenk Tosun.

Predicted Turkey XI: Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Ayhan, Kadioglu; Ozcan, Calhanoglu; Kahveci, Akturkoglu, Yildiz; Yilmaz

How to watch Turkey vs Georgia

14:35 , Matt Verri

TV channel: Today’s match will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One. Coverage starts at 4:30pm BST ahead of a 5pm kick-off.

Live stream: The BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website will both provide a free live stream service for fans online.

Live blog: Follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

14:29 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Turkey vs Georgia!

Group F finally gets up and running, as the opening round of fixtures at Euro 2024 come to an end this evening.

Dark horse tag has once again been placed on Turkey - didn’t end too well for them at Euro 2020. Georgia, meanwhile, are appearing in a major tournament for the first time.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which come sat 5pm BST in Dortmund.