Wales get potentially important point
Turkey 0 - 0 Wales
Turkey’s striker, Kerem Akturkoglu, squandered an 89th-minute penalty, keeping Wales’ slim hopes of promotion to the Nations League’s top tier alive after a tense goalless draw in Kayseri.
Backed by a fiercely hostile home crowd, Turkey dominated much of the first half. However, it was Wales who came closest to scoring, with Harry Wilson’s effort rattling the post.
After the break, Turkey’s substitute Enes Unal missed a golden opportunity, somehow firing wide from just a yard out. As the match edged towards its conclusion, the home side were awarded a contentious penalty when Yunus Akgun went down under a challenge from Neco Williams.
But Akturkoglu, the competition’s leading scorer for Turkey, failed to capitalise, his penalty clipping the outside of the post and going wide, to the despair of the home fans.
This result leaves Turkey top of Group B4 with 11 points, Wales second on nine, and Iceland third on seven. For Wales to top the group, they must beat Iceland at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday and hope Turkey drop points in Montenegro. If not, provided they avoid defeat against Iceland, Wales will face a promotion play-off in March, potentially delaying their World Cup qualifying campaign to June or September.
A closer look at what happened
Before the match, manager Craig Bellamy described this clash as Wales’ toughest test yet under his unbeaten leadership, and one that would reveal much about their credentials. Under Bellamy, Wales have impressed, not just with two wins and two draws in their opening games, but with their ambitious and expansive style of play.
Their previous encounter with Turkey, a goalless draw in Cardiff, saw Wales dominate a side that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. But this time, it was a different story.
Roared on by an intimidating crowd, Turkey took control early, dominating possession and pinning Wales back. The presence of their captain, Hakan Calhanoglu, proved pivotal. The Inter Milan midfielder, absent from September’s match, orchestrated play brilliantly, dictating the tempo and leaving Wales chasing shadows.
Turkey’s best chance of the first half came when Akgun’s close-range shot was superbly saved by an advancing Karl Darlow. Despite being under sustained pressure, Wales had their moments too. Mark Harris had a goal disallowed for offside before setting up Jordan James, whose excellent finish into the far corner was ruled out. Then, just before half-time, Harris danced past defenders to tee up Wilson, whose strike agonisingly struck the post.
Harris was substituted at half-time, possibly still feeling the effects of a first-half clash of heads with teammate Joe Rodon. His replacement, Daniel James, brought fresh energy, and Wales began to enjoy more sustained spells of possession as they sought a decisive goal.
Turkey’s wastefulness in front of goal continued, with Unal’s glaring miss and Arda Güler firing over from a promising position. Bellamy’s intent was clear when he replaced midfielder Jordan James with the more attack-minded David Brooks.
The drama peaked when the referee controversially awarded Turkey a late penalty. Williams appeared to get the ball in his challenge on Akgun, but the decision stood. However, Wales were spared when Akturkoglu’s effort missed the target.
The final whistle brought relief and a sense of justice for Wales, who showed tremendous resilience in challenging conditions. While the result complicates their Nations League aspirations, the experience gained could prove invaluable in their pursuit of a bigger prize: qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
