Türkiye’s nationwide soccer staff secured a dramatic 4-2 victory towards Iceland in an away match in Reykjavik, marking their third consecutive win within the UEFA Nations League Group B4.
This triumph not solely stored them unbeaten but in addition earned them their first-ever away win towards Iceland, boosting their factors to 10 and solidifying their lead within the group.
The match obtained off to a tense begin as Iceland’s ahead, Orri Oskarsson, broke by means of Türkiye’s protection with a swift counterattack, scoring an early objective and placing the hosts forward.
The residence crowd at Laugardalsvollur Stadium roared as Iceland held the benefit.
Türkiye, nevertheless, responded fiercely.
A essential second got here within the second half when a handball by an Iceland defender awarded the guests a penalty.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped as much as take the shot however slipped as he kicked, inadvertently hanging the ball with each toes.
Though the ball discovered the again of the web, the referee disallowed the objective resulting from a technical violation.
Undeterred, Türkiye’s persistence paid off.
In the 63rd minute, midfielder İrfan Can Kahveci unleashed a robust strike from outdoors the field, leveling the rating at 1-1.
Minutes later, Türkiye was granted one other penalty for a second handball by Iceland’s protection.
This time, Çalhanoğlu made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball residence to provide Türkiye a 2-1 lead.
Late drama
Iceland refused to again down.
In the 83rd minute, ahead Andri Gudjohnsen capitalized on a cross from the best flank, equalizing the sport at 2-2 with a well-taken objective contained in the field.
As the match neared its conclusion, Türkiye’s Real Madrid star Arda Güler seized a golden alternative.
Iceland’s goalkeeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson fumbled a clearance, and winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s relentless urgent pressured a mistake.
Güler pounced on the error, restoring Türkiye’s lead, 3-2, within the 88th minute.
In stoppage time, Kerem Aktürkoğlu added the of completion. His finesse shot from outdoors the field sailed into the web, sealing Türkiye’s 4-2 victory and securing all three factors in an exhilarating contest.
Standing robust
With this victory, Türkiye stays atop Group B4 with 10 factors from 4 matches.
They are intently adopted by Wales, who earned a 1-0 win over Montenegro to achieve eight factors. Iceland lingers in third place with 4 factors, whereas Montenegro, but to safe any factors, sit on the backside.
Türkiye will subsequent face Wales at residence on Nov. 16 in a vital match for group supremacy.
On the identical day, Iceland will journey to Podgorica to tackle Montenegro.
Çalhanoğlu reacts
After the match, Türkiye’s captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu shared his ideas on the historic win, emphasizing the difficult situations. “It’s been years since we last won here, and we’re incredibly happy. The field was terrible, very slippery in parts, and the penalty spot was especially tricky. I slipped during the first penalty, but I didn’t shy away from taking responsibility for the second one. This team showed real character today, fighting until the end against a strong, physical Iceland side,” Çalhanoğlu acknowledged.
He additionally highlighted the staff’s unity and willpower, saying, “We never give up, and that’s our strength. Our goal is always to make our country proud, and we’ll continue to fight as a team.”
Reflecting on the choice to play regardless of the poor pitch situations, Çalhanoğlu revealed his enter earlier than kickoff. “I went onto the field with the technical staff to check the conditions. I told the referees we wanted to play, and I’m glad we did. Otherwise, we might have had to play on an artificial pitch tomorrow, which would’ve been harder for us.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com