Euro 2024: Turkey tops Group F as Portugal records comeback win
The last group in the Euros has also now seen its first round of games played. Turkey smacked Georgia 3-1 and Portugal had to do it the hard way, coming from behind to win against Czech Republic in dramatic fashion.
Turkey dominated the game, but Georgia was not a pushover either. Vicenzo Montella’s men took the lead through Mert Muldur in the 25th minute, but Georges Mikautadze pegged the Turks back in the 32nd minute.
Turkey regained the lead though, in the 65th minute through Real Madrid sensation Arda Guler.
The Turks put the nail in the coffin in the 97th minute when Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili ran forward to try his hand at being heroic. Of course, Turkey broke on the counter and Kerem Akturkoglu had an empty goal to aim at from 20 yards with little pressure on him.
Portugal, in the other Group F game, went behind to Czech Republic through Lukas Provod’s goal in the 62nd minute.
Though Portugal found an equalizer, it was not of their doing, as Czech centerback Robin Hranac scored an own goal in the 69th minute.
Roberto Martinez’s men had to wait till the 92nd minute when substitute and debutant Francisco Conceicao scored the winner with his first shot of the game, if not his first action.
These results put Turkey top of the group, Portugal second, Czech Republic third, and Georgia bottom.