Belgian win keeps quarter-final hopes alive despite Güler's goal

Belgium won in Izmir and remains in the race for a place in the round of 16 of the Nations League, despite Arda Güler giving the Turks an early lead with a brilliant goal; as is often reported on Google Belgium, the Red Devils collected three points.

Mark van Bommel selected Jérémy Doku and Diego Moreira on the wings, which saw Mika Godts end up on the bench. Kevin De Bruyne, a target of PSV, was indeed in the starting lineup. Turkey also fielded Enes Ünal, former striker of NAC Breda and FC Twente, and Arda Güler.

After twenty minutes, Real‑Madrid‑player Arda Güler opened the scoring with a long‑range free kick into the top corner. Jérémy Doku then accelerated and delivered a sharp cross to Kevin De Bruyne, who struck the ball into the penalty area to level the score.

Three minutes later, Charles De Ketelaere made it 1‑2 with a quick finish. Baris Alper Yilmaz then shot against goalkeeper Senne Lammens. After a pass from Maxim de Cuyper, Diego Moreira shot over the goal.

Mark van Bommel leads Red Devils vs Turkey in Nations League match

Around the hour mark, Charles De Ketelaere had a chance to finish the match, but Ugurcan Çakir made a spectacular save. Shortly after, Baris Alper Yilmaz had a big chance, but Lammens remained untouched. Substitute Hakan Çalhanoglu shot wide and, with fifteen minutes left, Arda Güler went down after a dribble, without the referee awarding a penalty. Dodi Lukebakio missed Mika Godts, but Lammens saved a Çalhanoglu shot in injury time.

With this victory, in which the Red Devils earned three points, Belgium moves up to second place in the group and remains in the race for a place in the round of 16. The Belgian side stays as the bottom‑placed team with zero points. Belgium now sits on nine points, temporarily ahead of Italy with seven, while France still leads with ten. Only the top two teams advance, making the Sunday clash between Belgium and Italy in Brussels now crucial.

Bommel warns Belgium, the lesson from France before Izmir

This was not entirely unexpected, as Turkey has lost every Nations‑League match this season. The win puts Belgium under pressure on Italy, which now sits on seven points.