Explore Euro 2024: Guler, Ronaldo, and Pepe Set Records as Group F Ignites with Thrilling Start
At Euro 2024 on Tuesday, the first round for all groups concluded with considerable flair and history-making moments.
Turkiye faced off against Georgia in a Dortmund showdown that unexpectedly turned into an epic battle, followed by a nail-biting 2-1 victory for Portugal over Czechia in Leipzig.
In both games, the record books were rewritten, with Arda Guler and Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the spotlight.
But which stats truly shine from the initial clashes in Group F?
Turkiye 3-1 Georgia: Guler usurps Ronaldo’s record
With Kenan Yildiz (19y 45d) and Guler (19y 114d) hitting the field, Turkiye became the second team ever at the Euros to start two teens in one match since Hungary’s 1964 pairing of Zoltan Varga and Ferenc Bene.
Guler, barely in the mix at Real Madrid in the 2023-24 season, dazzled onlookers with his dynamism and netted a breathtaking goal that broke records.
He now holds the distinction of being the youngest initial appearance scorer in the tournament’s annals, a record previously held by Ronaldo at Euro 2004. Guler also joins the select few teens to have crafted five chances in a single Euros match.
Following Mert Muldur’s exquisite volley and Kerem Akturkoglu’s goal, the 3-1 triumph was sealed, despite Georgia rattling the woodwork twice and clearing a ball off the line during an intense match.
Georges Mikautadze’s goal for Georgia marked their debut tournament goal in their inaugural major competition.
Turkiye celebrated their first-ever win in a Euros opener after faltering in previous attempts, and they have bested Georgia in four of their six encounters across all competitions.
Portugal 2-1 Czechia: Pepe and Ronaldo break age barriers
Fielding Pepe (41y 113d) and Ronaldo (39y 134d), Portugal introduced the oldest outfield duo ever in Euros history.
Despite his advanced age, Pepe outperformed all with eleven possessions regained on the first matchday.
Ronaldo, participating in his sixth European Championship, nearly scored but his headed effort, despite rebounding off the post and netted by Diogo Jota, was disallowed for offside.
Lukas Provod’s long-range missile put Czechia ahead and marked the 11th goal from beyond the penalty area at Euro 2024, nearing the total for all group-stage games at Euro 2020.
Even though Portugal held dominance, as evidenced by their 368 first-half passes (a Euros record for a single half), the first half ended without goals. It wasn’t until Nuno Mendes’ intervention, leading to an own goal, that they cracked the scoreboard.
Vitinha, with his incisive passing, and Francisco Conceicao, scoring within 111 seconds of his entry, underscored Portugal’s depth and resolve. Conceicao’s goal placed him as the first Portuguese to score as a substitute at the Euros since Éder in the 2016 final against France.
