Van Bommel's Belgium renders a masterpiece null and void
Belgium did their homework against Turkey (1-2) and arrives at the final matchday with their chances of reaching the quarterfinals of the Nations League intact, while the Turks, where Sergen Yalçın made his debut as coach, still have not scored a single point. Real Madrid player Arda Güler put his team ahead with a great goal from a free kick, but goals from De Bruyne and De Ketelaere allowed the team led by Van Bommel to come back.
By Laura López
November 12, 2026 at 10:33 PM
According to Mundodeportivo.
Why it matters
The result affects how Belgium are viewed in the wider season picture and in the UEFA Nations League.
Key points
- Van Bommel's Belgium leaves behind a masterpiece.
- Belgium did their homework against Turkey (1-2) and arrives at the final matchday with their chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the Nations League intact, while the Turks, where Sergen Yalçın made his debut as coach, still have not scored a single point.
- Van Bommel's Belgium nullifies a masterpiece by Arda Güler.
The Belgian team achieved an important victory against Turkey, achieving a score of 1-2 in the match held within the framework of the UEFA Nations League. With this victory, the Belgians keep alive their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals, waiting for the last day. For its part, the Turkish team, which had Sergen Yalçın as its new coach, continues without scoring points in this phase of the tournament.
The match began with a spectacular goal by Arda Güler, who, with a masterful execution of a free kick, opened the scoring in favor of Türkiye. The Real Madrid player showed his quality by placing the ball in the upper corner of the goal, leaving the Belgian goalkeeper with no options. This goal generated hope in the Turkish fans, who saw the possibility of obtaining their first victory in the competition.
However, Belgium's reaction was immediate. As the match progressed, the Belgians began to apply more pressure and create scoring opportunities. Kevin De Bruyne, one of the team's pillars, was in charge of equalizing the score in the 60th minute, taking advantage of a mistake in the Turkish defense. His goal was a reminder of his ability to change the course of games at crucial moments.
The comeback was completed when Charles De Ketelaere, who had come on as a substitute, scored the second goal for the Belgians. His goal, which came in the final minutes of the match, sealed the victory and left Turkey in a difficult situation, as they have not yet achieved any points at this stage of the Nations League.
This victory is fundamental for Belgium, who now prepare for the last match of the group stage with the determination to secure their place in the next round. The team led by Van Bommel must maintain the same level of intensity and concentration if it wants to meet its objectives in the tournament. Meanwhile, Türkiye will have to reflect on their performance and look for ways to reverse their situation in the future, as the pressure increases with each round without points.
What's next
Attention now turns to the next fixture, possible lineup changes, and how coaches use this result in their preparation.