Belgium turns unfair situation around in Izmir thanks to De Bruyne

Belgium secured an important victory on Thursday evening in the Nations League in Izmir, after Arda Güler scored a free kick in the 20th minute and Kevin De Bruyne found the equaliser within four minutes, after which Charles De Ketelaere netted the winning goal.

Quick turnaround

The Red Devils fell behind in Izmir after a brilliant free kick from Arda Güler.

Güler, midfielder of Real Madrid, struck the ball from long range into the top left corner, making it 1‑0.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens could not stop the ball.

Within four minutes the Belgians turned the match around: Jeremy Doku broke through in the 27th minute and supplied Kevin De Bruyne with the ball.

De Bruyne struck hard from the penalty area against the post, making the score 1‑1.

Three minutes later Doku delivered another attack, Maxim De Cuyper kept the overview and enabled Charles De Ketelaere to make it 1‑2.

Second half and maintaining the lead

Turkish attempts before halftime remained fruitless; Orkun Kökçü's shot from outside the penalty area was deflected by Lammens.

Diego Moreira had a chance to extend the lead, but his shot went narrowly wide.

Mark van Bommel demands dominant Red Devils in Izmir after Liège win despite Turkish home advantage

In the second half Kevin De Bruyne forced Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır with a free kick to make a save.

Jeremy Doku continued to create danger with his dribbles.

Around the hour Charles De Ketelaere got a prime chance for a third goal, but Çakır made a fine save.

Turkey kept up the pressure; Hakan Çalhanoğlu shot well wide a quarter of an hour before time and Barış Yılmaz collided with Lammens.

Mark van Bommel replaced Kevin De Bruyne and Diego Moreira with Leandro Trossard and Dodi Lukebakio.

In the 80th minute Mika Godts and Hugo Cuypers made their entrance.

Three minutes in Izmir give the Red Devils control, Lammens undisputed

Lammens saved excellently from a shot by Deniz Gül and shortly after also an attempt by Yunus Akgün.

In injury time Hakan Çalhanoğlu missed a huge chance, after which Lammens intervened again.

Belgium held on to the lead until the end.

Final and outlook

The match was played at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium, where approximately 20,000 spectators were present.

A final against Italy awaits on Sunday, which can secure Belgium a quarter‑final place in the Nations League.