EURO 2024 Qualification Thriller: Turkey Secures Spot Against Latvia in Konya
Turkey’s national football team has clinched its place in the EURO 2024 finals in Germany with a resounding 4-0 victory over Latvia in Konya. The Group D qualifier, held on the 7th matchday, saw a dominant second-half performance from the Crescent-Stars, sparking celebrations across the nation.
Vincenzo Montella’s squad delivered a stellar performance at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium. After a goalless first half, the floodgates opened in the second. Yunus Akgün broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, followed by a brace from veteran striker Cenk Tosun in the 82nd and 90+2 minutes, and a goal from Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the 87th minute, sealing a comprehensive win and EURO 2024 qualification.
This victory marks Turkey’s sixth appearance in the European Championship, following participations in 1996, 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2020. The match was attended by high-profile figures including Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi, highlighting the significance of the event for Turkish football.
President Erdoğan Congratulates the Team
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his congratulations to the national team immediately after the final whistle. In a social media post, he stated, “I wholeheartedly congratulate our A National Football Team, which has qualified for the 2024 European Football Championship, and wish our national team success in the tournament.” President Erdoğan also spoke with coach Montella and the players by phone in the locker room, praising everyone involved in this achievement.
Match Highlights:
Despite the eventual scoreline, the first half was a tense affair with both teams battling for control. Turkey had an early goal disallowed in the 21st minute when Yunus Akgün’s strike was ruled offside after a VAR review. Salih Özcan tested the Latvian goalkeeper Roberts Ozols in the 27th minute with a powerful shot, while Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Abdülkerim Bardakcı came close with further attempts before halftime.
The second half saw a different Turkish side emerge. The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Yunus Akgün finally found the net, capitalizing on a cross from Cenk Özkacar. Latvia threatened briefly, with a goal-line clearance from Salih Özcan and a save from Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır keeping Turkey’s lead intact.
As the game entered its final stages, Turkey asserted their dominance. Cenk Tosun doubled the lead in the 82nd minute with a header, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu extended it further in the 87th minute after a quick break. Tosun completed his brace in added time, making it 4-0 and cementing Turkey’s qualification in style.
Match Details:
Turkey 4 – 0 Latvia
Stadium: Konya Büyükşehir Belediye
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)
Turkey: Uğurcan Çakır, Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Zeki Çelik min. 46), Samet Akaydın, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Cenk Özkacar, Salih Özcan (Berkan Kutlu min. 68), İsmail Yüksek, Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Kaan Ayhan min. 86), Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Yunus Akgün (Yusuf Sarı min. 75), Barış Alper Yılmaz (Cenk Tosun min. 75)
Latvia: Ozols, Savalnieks, Dubra, Balodis, Ciganiks, Tobers, Saveļjevs (Emsis min. 46), Jaunzems (Davis Ikaunieks min. 84), Ikaunieks, Daskevics (Krollis min. 57), Uldrikis (Regza min. 75)
Goals: Yunus Akgün (min. 58), Cenk Tosun (min. 83, 90+2), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (min. 87) (Turkey)
Yellow Cards: Salih Özcan, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Abdülkerim Bardakcı (Turkey), Emsis, Ozols, Daskevics, Tobers (Latvia)
In the other Group D match, Wales defeated Croatia 2-1. Armenia had a bye on this matchday. With 16 points, Turkey has secured the top spot in Group D and guaranteed qualification for EURO 2024. Their final group match will be against Wales away on November 21st.
| EURO 2024 Qualifying Group D Standings |
|---|
| | | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | | 1. TURKEY | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 16 | | 2. WALES | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 10 | | 3. CROATIA | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 10 | | 4. ARMENIA | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 7 | | 5. LATVIA | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 3 | | |— |
Montella Makes History
Vincenzo Montella has become the first foreign coach to lead Turkey to the European Championship finals. Previous EURO qualifications were achieved under Turkish coaches: Fatih Terim (EURO 1996, 2008, 2016), Mustafa Denizli (EURO 2000), and Şenol Güneş (EURO 2020).
European Champion Down Syndrome National Team Saluted the Stands
The Turkish Down Syndrome Futsal National Team, fresh from their European Championship victory against Portugal, were special guests at the Konya match. They greeted fans with their championship trophy before kickoff, receiving a standing ovation from the passionate Turkish supporters.