Posted: 2024-06-18 23:02:49

Two Euro 2024 matches on Wednesday morning, AEST, produced two contenders for goal of the tournament, while fans were drenched by a leaking stadium.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo made European Championships history just by stepping onto the playing field.

Here are the five quick hits from Wednesday morning.

1. Teenager's wonder strike lifts Türkiye to victory

A stunning long-range strike from teenager Arda Guler helped lift Türkiye to a 3-1 win in their Euro 2024 Group F opener against debutants Georgia, as they slugged it out in the pouring rain at a raucous Dortmund BVB Stadion.

Aged 19 years and 114 days, Guler became the youngest player to score on his debut at a Euros — beating Cristiano Ronaldo's record — in between goals for Türkiye from Mert Müldür and Kerem Akturkoglu, with Georges Mikautadze replying for Georgia.

The teenager's strike from long range came in the 65th minute when both sides were locked at 1-1.

From well outside the 18-yard box, Guler whipped a rocket off his left foot and curled it magnificently into the top corner.

Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had no chance of parrying away the wonder strike, despite being at full stretch.

However, some may believe the strike was not as good as Türkiye's opener.

Müldür opened Türkiye's account with a right-foot strike which nearly put a hole through the back of the net.

2. Dortmund stadium leaks as fans fight in torrential rain

A downpour of water from driving rain leaking through the roof of a stadium, creating a waterfall in the stands

Heavy rain turned into waterfalls in the stands at Dortmund.(Reuters: Leon Kuegeler)

Türkiye and Georgia played out any early contender for match of the tournament, despite the driving rain in Dortmund.

A combined four goals, two of them brilliant individual efforts, were scored despite a torrential downpour which at times threatened flooding by the side of the pitch.

The rain leaked through the stadium before kick-off and never let up.

Ground staff worked feverishly around the stadium to clear as much water as they could, especially around the pitch which was beginning to flood.

Staff used brooms, a plank of wood and even their feet in an effort to push as much water down the struggling drains.

There were some unsavoury moments as the rain fell in the stands.

About 40 fans from each set of supporters were involved in brief scuffles, requiring police to move between them, a Reuters reporter inside the stadium said.

3. Ronaldo creates history by just stepping on the pitch

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to feature at six European Championship tournaments when he captained Portugal for its opening game against Czechia.

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