Mert Muldur has scored arguably the best goal of Euro 2024 so far after thumping a volley into the top corner to give Turkey a first-half lead against Georgia.
Previous major tournaments have seen Turkey fail to deliver on their dark horse status, but they capitalised on a strong start to thump themselves into the lead on Tuesday with a thumping effort.
However, it was an unlikely goalscorer in the form of right-back Muldur that popped up on the edge of the Georgia box before scoring with an outrageous strike.
A cross into the box looked to have been headed clear by Georgia’s defence but only as far as Muldur who hit a wicked volley first time that left Georgia’s goalkeeper stranded.
The sweet strike rose elegantly through the air and nestled in the back of the net with Muldur and his team-mates stunned at his outstanding strike.
Mert Muldur has scored arguably the best goal of Euro 2024 so far against Georgia
The Turkey defender scored an outrageous first-half volley to give his side the lead
There have already been plenty of brilliant goals at this summer’s European Championship with Romania’s Nicolae Stanciu scoring an early contender for goal of the tournament in Monday’s 3-0 win over Ukraine, with Muldur’s strike gaining similar applause.
The Turkey defender who plays his club football at Fenerbahce had only ever scored one international goal prior to Tuesday’s match when he previously got on the scoresheet in a 6-0 win over Gibraltar three years ago.
Micah Richards heaped praise on Muldur at half-time as the former Man City full-back labelled the finish as ‘outstanding’.
Analysing the goal on BBC, Richards said: ‘The modern day right-backs love to get forward and as it comes, the timing, technique and precision.
Muldur’s strike left the Georgia goalkeeper scrambling helplessly before nestling in the top corner
‘Everything about it is outstanding. The way he just commits to the ball just to get the right amount of purchase.
‘Look at that, wow. What do we call that? A Turkish delight,’ added Richards.
Fans on social media echoed similar sentiments with one post on X stating: ‘What a strike! An absolute corker. Surely, the goal of the tournament.’
However, the goal was quickly cancelled out as Georgia announced themselves on the grand stage with their first goal in European Championship history just minutes later.
