Türkiye started their Euro 2024 campaign in terrific fashion, defeating lowest-ranked side Georgia 3-1 in what was the game of the tournament so far. But while they may have fallen to defeat, Georgia proved that they are more than the sum of their parts with a promising display. Here’s how the players performed.
Türkiye
Embed from Getty ImagesFehmi Günok – 7
Could’ve done better with Mikautadze’s goal but an otherwise strong display. Played a big role in Türkiye’s third goal.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu – 7
A key man in Türkiye’s attacking buildup but switched off for Mikautadze’s goal.
Abdülkerim Bardakcı – 6
A tad rash at times as was shown with his booking, but contributed to an excellent block to deny what would’ve been a certain goal.
Samet Akaydin – 7
Solid at the back and also involved in the aforementioned clearance and a second one where he headed it off the line.
Mert Müldür – 8
Scored the goal of the tournament (for roughly an hour) and was solid both defensively and going forwards.
Kaan Ayhan – 7
Really unlucky to hit the post in the 10th minute and hardly put a foot wrong.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 6
Composed on the ball as ever and played some teasing set pieces but didn’t really have the impact on the game he might’ve hoped for.
Kenan Yıldiz – 6
Kept pretty quiet throughout the match but was unlucky to see his goal ruled out through no fault of his own.
Orkun Kökçü – 6
Composed in possession and unlucky not to grab himself a goal contribution.
Arda Güler – 9
A near perfect performance both on and off the ball. Scored the best goal of the tournament so far and bossed the middle of the park. A virtuoso tournament debut.
Baris Yılmaz – 5
Not really the attacking outlet Türkiye needed at times but handy enough in buildup.
Substitutes
Yusuf Yazıcı – 5
Should’ve scored his headed chance towards the end. Not really on the pitch long enough to do much else.
Merih Demiral – 5
Helped out with the flurry of Georgia chances at the end but, again, wasn’t on for long enough to make a real mark.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu – 6
Hardly saw the ball but did score Türkiye’s third (and probably the easiest goal of his career).
Zeki Çelik – 5
Played a lovely ball for the Yazıcı chance. Didn’t do much else.
Salih Özcan – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Georgia
Embed from Getty ImagesGiorgi Mamardashvili – 7
Conceded three and made a big mistake going up for corners at the end, but otherwise put up a solid display. Nothing he could do about the first two goals.
Lasha Dvali – 5
Had his work cut out for him and was generally solid, but his short clearance led directly to Müldür’s goal.
Guram Kashia – 6
Solid enough at the back. Nothing he could do about any of the goals.
Solomon Kverkvelia – 4
Rasher than his defensive counterparts. Struggled at points.
Giorgi Tsitaishvili – 4
A constant outlet down the left-hand side who never really managed to achieve anything.
Giorgi Kochorashvili – 7
Easily Georgia’s best outfielder and was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar – but his involvement in Mikautadze’s chance at the end prevented a certain equaliser.
Anzor Mekvabishvili – 4
Anonymous in the centre of the park.
Giorgi Chakvetadze – 5
Solid enough in possession but not as dynamic as Kochorashvili.
Otar Kakabadze – 5
Struggled to deal with Kadıoğlu at times but was a good outlet going forwards.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 4
Really disappointing tournament debut. Nothing came off for the Napoli man.
Georges Mikautadze – 7
Constantly threatened and did well to score his goal. Would’ve likely had a brace if not for Kochorashvili’s involvement.
Substitutes
Zuriko Davitashvili – 4
Pretty anonymous after coming on.
Luka Lochoshvili – 4
Not much of an improvement on Tsitaishvili.
Budu Zivzivadze – 5
Unlucky not to score right at the end.
Sandro Altunashvili – 4
Like the others – struggled to make any kind of impact in his seven minutes.
You can keep up with everything that happens throughout EURO2024 here at FromTheSpot.