Turkey Edges Georgia 3-2 in Thrilling World Cup Qualifier

Arda Guler

Turkey began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Georgia.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 71st minute when Turkey was reduced to 10 men after substitute Barış Alper...

Turkey kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Georgia at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena. This victory marked Turkey's fourth win in five matches against Georgia, showcasing their dominance in head-to-head encounters. The win was a perfect start for Turkey's quest to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Mert Müldur scored the opening goal for Turkey just three minutes into the match, heading in a precise cross from Arda Güler.

Turkey came close to doubling their lead seven minutes into the match when Arda Guler had a shot deflected by a last-ditch defensive block. The Real Madrid star continued to showcase his skills in the 24th minute with a powerful effort that narrowly missed the post.

Georgia's defense failed to learn from their mistakes, and Turkey eventually scored their second goal four minutes before halftime. Kerem Akturkoglu, who had an impressive 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign with five goals, expertly guided the ball into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area, doubling Turkey's advantage.

Kerem Akturkoğlu sealed the win for Turkey with his brace just seven minutes into the second half. A turnover in Georgia's own half allowed Arda Guler and Oguz Aydin to feed Akturkoğlu, who calmly scored from close range, effectively ending Georgia's hopes of a comeback.

Georgia managed to pull one back in the 63rd minute when Zuriko Davitashvili scored from the rebound after Anzor Mekvabishvili's shot hit the post. However, the deficit was still too large to overcome, and Turkey held on for the win despite being reduced to 10 men later in the match due to Barış Alper Yılmaz's red card.

Tiflis'te maç sona erdi! 😎

Zafer #BizimÇocuklar'ın! 💪#BizimÇocuklar I #GEOTUR I #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/dcgrEA7lH6

— Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 (@MilliTakimlar) September 4, 2025

The match took a dramatic turn in the 71st minute when Turkey was reduced to 10 men after substitute Barış Alper Yılmaz was sent off for a reckless tackle on Giorgi Kochorashvili's ankle. Referee Davide Massa showed a straight red card, and the incident didn't stop there, as Georgia manager Willy Sagnol was also given his marching orders for dissent.

Despite being down to 10 men, Turkey managed to hold on to their lead, but Georgia pushed hard for an equalizer. Their efforts finally paid off in the 90+8 minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a stunning goal with a perfectly placed shot into the corner from the edge of the area, giving Georgia a late scare. The final score read Turkey 3, Georgia 2.

With this win, Turkey tops Group E, which also features reigning European champions Spain and Bulgaria. The Turkish team held firm despite Georgia's late pressure after going down to 10 men, showcasing their determination and skill.

Next Match

Turkey's win in Georgia sets them up well for their upcoming match against reigning European champions Spain in Group E. The highly anticipated clash will be a significant test for Turkey as they look to continue their momentum against one of the favorites in the group.