Euro 2024: Turkey win thriller 

Turkey got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a thrilling start with a 3-1 win over Georgia that delighted a passionate army of fans in soaking-wet Dortmund.

Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler crashed in a brilliant goal in the 65th minute to put Turkey ahead at a Westfalenstadion dominated by tens of thousands of Turkish fans before Kerem Akturkoglu rolled home the third with the last kick of the game as Georgia pushed for a late leveler.

Guler, 19, had a difficult time with injuries in his first season in Madrid but stepped up for Turkey in a fiercely contested match with Georgia, who did not look out of place in their first-ever match at a major international tournament.

“I’m really happy with the win. I hope to score more goals to help my team,” Guler said.

“I don’t care about personal achievements; I’m only concerned about helping the team win and that we go as far as possible.”

Georgia were dangerous after Georges Mikautadze leveled Mert Muldur’s 25th-minute opener for Turkey just after the half-hour mark and were denied a second equalizer by the woodwork and a series of saves and blocks.

But Akturkoglu ensured Turkey would top the group ahead of Portugal’s opening match with the Czech Republic.

“It’s a bit early to talk about what was missing, but I will say a bit of talent and experience,” said Georgia coach Willy Sagnol.

“I’m sure that in the future, this kind of game in the next months and the next years, I’m sure Georgia won’t lose because Georgia will learn … I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them.”

Turkey took the cue from their fervent support and went at Georgia from the off, pressuring their inexperienced opposition high up the pitch as a huge din came rolling down from the stands.

Kaan Ayhan and Abdulkerim Bardakci went close with headers from corners inside the first 10 minutes before Ayhan crashed a low drive off the inside of the post.