Türkiye top group as Cymru defeated

Türkiye 2-0 Cymru

• Substitutes score decisive goals for Türkiye
• Joe Morrell sent off before half-time
• Danny Ward saves a penalty
• Türkiye also have two goals denied by VAR

Cymru went into this match looking to make amends for the surprise 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff on Friday, but Rob Page’s side left the Samsun 19 Mayıs Stadium on Monday night having suffered another defeat as Türkiye claimed a 2-0 victory.

It could have been more for the home side as an own goal from Chris Mepham and a 2nd half goal from substitute Umut Nayir were ruled out following VAR reviews for offside and handball respectively. 

Harry Wilson had Cymru’s best effort but his well-struck free-kick was saved by Mert Günok, while at the other end goalkeeper Danny Ward denied captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu from the penalty spot, but despite the setbacks, Türkiye were not deterred. 

For the second match in succession, Cymru were reduced to 10-men as midfielder Joe Morrell was shown a straight red card just before half-time for a high tackle, while Brennan Johnson required treatment during the opening half and was replaced during the interval. 

Moments after his goal was disallowed, Nayir finally opened the scoring for Türkiye on 72 minutes as he rose above Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham to head the ball past Ward, and teenager Arda Güler then doubled the advantage on 80 minutes with a superb individual strike that curled into the far corner of the net.

Cymru now have four games left in Group D to salvage their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign, and Page will need to lift his side after suffering two frustrating defeats on the back of an impressive point in Croatia and a victory over Latvia if his side are to reach a third consecutive EURO finals.