The Real Madrid teenager eclipsed Ronaldo after scoring in Turkey’s European Championship success over Georgia.
Arda Guler netted a 65th-minute stunner for Turkiye in their Euro 2024 Group F encounter against Georgia as Vincenzo Montella guided the nation to their first-ever tournament-opening win at the finals.
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Turkey vs Georgia
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Ay-Yildizlilar opened the scoring through Mert Muldur after 25 minutes but Georges Mikautadze pegged back Montella's troops seven minutes later to score Georgia's first-ever goal at the European Championships.
It stayed that way until Guler’s fired home from just over 20 yards to send Turkey back ahead and substitute Kerem Akturkoglu notched their third in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a 3-1 success in North Rhine-Westphalia.
What Cristiano Ronaldo record did Guler eclipse at Euro 2024?
At 19 years and 128 days, Cristiano Ronaldo netted in his European Championship debut against Greece at Euro 2004, becoming the youngest player to find the back of the net in his maiden appearance in the competition's history despite Portugal losing the game 2-1.
That record stood across the next four finals — Euros 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 — before the Real Madrid teenage sensation's scorcher against Georgia.
Guler netted on Tuesday at 19 years and 114 days, thus surpassing the Portuguese legend’s feat in Turkey’s success.
What comes next?
Guler should feature in his nation's next Euro 2024 group match against Ronaldo’s Portugal on June 22 as Montella’s men seek to progress to the round of 16.