Türkiye Secures Hard-Fought 3-2 Victory Against 10-Man Latvia in UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifier
Date
6/18/2023 2:48:35 PM
(MENAFN) In a thrilling UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match held on Friday, Türkiye emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Latvia on Latvian soil. The game, played in Riga's Skonto Stadions, witnessed an intense battle between the two teams, with Türkiye ultimately prevailing in a hard-fought contest.
The Turkish national team drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Abdulkerim Bardakci found the back of the net with a well-executed header. Merih Demiral provided the assist, showcasing the team's attacking prowess. This early goal set the tone for Türkiye's determined performance throughout the match.
However, their celebrations were momentarily cut short in the 39th minute when Ferdi Kadioglu's close-range finish was disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR). The VAR deemed that Kadioglu had committed a foul against defender Roberts Savalnieks, resulting in the goal being ruled out.
Latvia capitalized on this turn of events and managed to level the score in the 51st minute. Eduards Emsis displayed his aerial prowess by heading the ball into the net, with Vladislavs Gutkovskis providing the assist. The equalizer injected a renewed sense of energy and determination into the Latvian team, making it clear that they were not going down without a fight.
Nevertheless, Türkiye quickly regained their lead in the 61st minute, thanks to a decisive close-range finish by Cengiz Under. Orkun Kokcu played a crucial role in creating the scoring opportunity, delivering a well-timed assist to Under. This goal demonstrated Türkiye's resilience and their ability to respond to setbacks.
Latvia fought valiantly to mount a comeback and appeared to have found the back of the net once again in the 72nd minute, courtesy of Gutkovskis. However, the VAR intervened, declaring the goal offside and leaving the Latvian team disappointed.
As the match neared its conclusion, Latvia's hopes of staging a comeback were further hampered when Emsis received a second yellow card and was subsequently sent off in the 83rd minute. The red card reduced Latvia to 10 men, providing an additional advantage for the Türkiye team.
Türkiye's hard-fought 3-2 victory against Latvia showcased their determination, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges. The match served as a testament to the competitive spirit and skill displayed by both teams. As Türkiye celebrated their triumph, they could take pride in their performance and the valuable three points secured in their ongoing quest to qualify for UEFA EURO 2024.
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