The best goals of Euro 2024 so far! Mert Muldur scores an outrageous volley to give Turkey the lead against Georgia before Real Madrid star Arda Guler bends a stunning strike into the top corner
- Mert Muldur gave Turkey the lead against Georgia with a stunning volley
- Arda Guler restored the lead with a brilliant curling shot in the second half
- Listen to It all starts! Palmer, Gordon, Eze, Bowen… Who would replace Foden if he was ousted?
Mert Muldur and Arda Guler have both scored contenders for the goal of the tournament at Euro 2024 after both finding the back of the net for Turkey against Georgia on Tuesday.
Turkey have failed to live up to their dark horse status in previous major tournaments, but if quality of finishing is a measure of success then they are certainly one of the teams to watch.
It was an unlikely goalscorer in the form of right-back Muldur who emerged on the edge of the Georgia area to score with an outrageous strike to put Turkey ahead in the 25th minute.
A cross into the penalty area appeared to be headed away by the Georgia defense, but only as far as Muldur, who hit a poor volley the first time, leaving the goalkeeper stranded.
The beautiful strike ended up in the back of the net, with Muldur and his teammates stunned by his excellent strike, which was only his second international goal.
Mert Muldur has perhaps scored the best goal of Euro 2024 so far against Georgia
The Turkish defender scored an outrageous volley in the first half to give his side the lead
Micah Richards heaped praise on Muldur at half-time as the former Man City full-back branded the finish as ‘excellent’.
Richards analyzed the goal on the BBC and said: ‘The modern right-backs love to get forward and, when it comes, the timing, technique and precision.
‘Everything about it is excellent. The way he just latches onto the ball just to get the right buy.
“Look, wow. What do we call that? A Turkish delight.’
Fans on social media echoed similar sentiments with a post on An absolute corkscrew. Certainly, the goal of the tournament.’
However, the strike was quickly overturned when Georgia scored their first goal in European Championship history just minutes later.
The Turkish defender, who plays his club football at Fenerbahce, scored just one international goal ahead of Tuesday’s match, in a 6-0 win over Gibraltar three years ago.
There have already been plenty of brilliant goals scored at this summer’s European Championship, with Romania’s Nicolae Stanciu an early contender for the goal of the tournament in Monday’s 3-0 win over Ukraine, and Muldur’s strike has earned similar plaudits .
Muldur’s strike left the Georgia goalkeeper scrambling helplessly before curling into the top corner
Arda Güler scored an incredible goal in the second half to restore Turkey’s lead against Georgia
Real Madrid’s quiet celebration came after the tournament hopeful’s brilliant Euro 2024 goal
And Turkey scored another top goal in the second half thanks to Real Madrid star Guler.
Guler was a constant presence in attack and decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck when he latched onto a pass, dribbled towards goal and curled his effort into the top corner.
The aptly named ‘Turkish Messi’ looked in disbelief as he ran to the corner flag in celebration before being mobbed by teammates as Turkey forced themselves back in front.
His incredible finish from 30 meters out even made Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella jump for joy as people in the technical area hugged each other in ecstatic celebration.
Turkey had a 3–1 victory when Kerem Akturkoglu added a third in stoppage time as Georgia pushed forward in search of an equalizer.