Belgium's comeback caps Yalçın's turbulent start in Nations League
Belgium turned a deficit into a 2‑1 victory over Türkiye on Thursday, marking Sergen Yalçın’s first match as the Turkish national team head coach and delivering the hosts their fifth straight UEFA Nations League Group A1 loss in the Gürsel Aksel Stadium in Izmir.
An AFP Photo taken in Istanbul by the Agency shows Belgium’s forward Charles De Ketelaere contesting the ball with Türkiye’s defender Ozan Kabak during the encounter. The image accompanied a News analysis that also covered Politics, War and Terror.
Key moments of the clash
Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler gave Türkiye the lead in the 20th minute with a spectacular long‑range free‑kick that curled into the top‑left corner. Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens could only watch the ball sail past him.
Seven minutes later, Jeremy Doku dribbled past Oğuz Aydın down the left and delivered a low cross for Kevin De Bruyne, who finished first‑time to level the score. The quick response restored parity for the visitors.
In the 30th minute Charles De Ketelaere scored from close range after Maxim De Cuyper gathered the rebound from Diego Moreira’s effort, which had been saved by Uğurcan Çakır. The goal gave Belgium a 2‑1 advantage.
Belgium entered the break with a 2‑1 lead. Türkiye had failed to find an equaliser before the interval.
Yalçın made his first changes in the 58th minute, bringing Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Deniz Gül on for Orkun Kökçu and Enes Ünal. The fresh attackers aimed to revive the Turkish attack.
A minute later Uğurcan Çakır denied Charles De Ketelaere from close range after the Belgian forward broke through Türkiye’s defence. The save preserved Belgium’s lead.
Türkiye pressed for an equaliser, but Lammens denied Deniz Gül in the 82nd minute after a well‑worked move involving Arda Güler and Zeki Çelik. The denial kept the scoreline intact.
In the second minute of stoppage time Lammens made another crucial intervention, using his feet to block Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s powerful shot from inside the penalty area. The save extinguished any late hopes for Türkiye.
The defeat left Türkiye without a point after five matches. Belgium climbed to second place with nine points, ahead of Thursday’s clash between Italy and France.