Teenage sensation Arda Guler scored on his European Championship debut as Turkey secured a 3-1 victory over Georgia in a thrilling Group F encounter at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

An enthusiastic Turkey defeated debutants Georgia end to end to kick off the Euros in a thrilling fashion.

To the joy of the throngs of Turkish supporters, Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler scored a magnificent goal in addition to goals from Kerem Akturkoglu and Mert Muldur.

After Georges Mikautadze levelled Muldur’s brilliantly executed opener and struck the woodwork, Georgia became a threat.

Even though Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t playing at his best, his squad still managed to put up enough of an effort to give themselves hope for the next games against Portugal and the Czech Republic.

“It was a match worthy of the Euros, we had great support even in difficult moments. This win is also for them and the party that they’ll have,” Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella told reporters.

“It’s my 50th birthday today so it was perfect day of sport and the victory was the best present that the boys could have given me.”

The second round of group matches begins on Wednesday in Stuttgart, when host Germany takes on Hungary.

Scotland plays Switzerland in the other Group A match, hoping to win their first major event since 1996. Croatia plays Albania in Group B.

Photo by EPA/Leszek Szymanski