Georgia is only ranked 75th in the world, and was second last in its European Championship qualifying group.
But they still managed, thanks to the Nations League playoff, to make it to the EC, and tonight played the country’s first ever match in an international championship.
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Volley in the cross
They stood up well against Turkey but it was still a loss, with 1–3. And it was two really nice goals that sank them.
The first came after 25 minutes, when Mert Müldür pulled a volley into the crossbar.
– The question is whether this isn’t the absolute best-looking goal in the EC so far, says soccer columnist Therese Strömberg in SVT Sports’ EC broadcast.
Güler got his revenge
Soon after, they looked to extend it to 2–0, but after VAR review, Arda Güler’s goal was ruled out for offside.
But the 19-year-old Güler would get revenge, when 20 minutes into the second half he had a cannon hit that was approved.
– Oh my God! Here it’s just cozying up at home, watching that strike, says SVT Sports expert Daniel Nannskog.
– This is just wonderful to see!
That goal meant 2–1, when Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia’s first EC goal in history just over half an hour into the match.
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See Georgia’s first European Championship goal in history. Photo: Andreea Alexandru
Turkey dominated the match, but Georgia did have some good chances – including a post shot in added time – but they will have to wait for the country’s first EC points.
Instead, it was 3–1, when in the seventh minute of extra time Turkey was able to roll the ball into an open goal, after the Georgian goalkeeper went up on an offensive corner and Turkey then countered.
European Championship
Turkey
3 – 1
Georgia