<p>It was a fair run, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/turkey-national-team-tv-schedule/">Turkiye</a>. After producing two of the goals of the tournament and arguably the best match of the tournament so far, giving us a glimpse into a promising future with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/arda-guler-emerges-as-the-breakout-star-of-euro-2024/">Arda Güler</a> and Orkun Kökcü, and giving us more Balkan drama, the Netherlands has ended the Turkiye fairytale story.</p>



<p>They didn’t go out without a fight either. After hunkering down and <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/04/WS6685f471a31095c51c50c41b.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stealing</a> a win against Austria in the quarterfinal, they faced a dominant <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule/">Netherlands</a> side widely tipped to make a deep run in the final. </p>



<p>It promised to be a good match, especially for a Turkiye squad boasting a lot of attacking talent. Their wide, end-to-end style of soccer hinges on their creative playmakers — Kökcu, Güler, Kenan Yildiz — taking on defenders and creating opportunities with their technical skill, not a particular tactical set-up. They play a very open style of soccer, allowing them to bomb in from the flanks and launch very dangerous attacks, but leaving them exposed to the counter-attack.</p>



<h2>Akaydin goal puts Turkiye ahead</h2>



<p>We saw an early glimpse of how their impact in transition would play out within the first minute of the game. Memphis Depay got the ball early on the left flank, attacked, dribbled by three defenders, got into the box, and launched a shot flying over the crossbar. Turkiye got the ball, reset their defense, and built up in their usual style; fast and wide. </p>



<p>After some 30ish minutes of back-and-forth soccer and despite their inability to keep the ball, Turkiye found its dramatic opener through Guler. The teenager’s inswinging cross at the edge of the box met a leaping Samet Akaydin at the far post. Akaydin’s header beat a frozen Bart Verbruggen, with all mayhem breaking loose. Dramatic celebrations ensued as Akaydin’s teammates swarmed him. They tackled him and shook him with smiles filled with joy. With the goal, Turkiye had the chance to tie its best performance ever at the Euros — a semifinal appearance.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/16040039/Netherlands-Turkiye-1200x800-1200x800.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-515132" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>The Netherlands turned to Wout Weghorst for an attacking spark at halftime. The   <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/hoffenheim-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Hoffenheim</a> striker has come off the bench for most of the Euros — but in his 93 minutes on the pitch, he’s scored a goal, assisted another, and provided the lethality this Netherlands side craves.</p>



<p>He made an instant impact. After Weghorst replaced Steven Bergwijn at halftime and the Dutch began to slow their tempo, they created more chances. Merely minutes after halftime, Weghorst latched on to a Nathan Aké long ball, nodding it to a streaking Depay at the back post. Depay was very unlucky not to reach the ball in time, but it set the tone for the second half — Turkiye desperately clinging onto their one-goal lead, and the Netherlands relentlessly attacking.</p>



<h2>Gakpo strike gives the Dutch a lead</h2>



<p>Although Güler still had his moments — striking the post with a bouncing, 40-yard free kick — the half was dominated by the Dutch offense. We saw Depay, skillfully evading a pair of Turkish defenders, lofting a cross to Weghorst, whose volley at the six-yard box fell into the side netting. We saw Gakpo, nutmegging a defender and chipping another, fight through a crowded defense to finish off a Xavi Simons chip, denied only by another defender. And finally, we saw the equalizer.</p>



<p>The Dutch got their goal back with Depay lofting a cross into a crowded box. Center-back Stefan de Vrij, surprisingly isolated in a box full of players, towered over the pack. His flicked-on, 10-yard header narrowly squeaked past keeper Mert Günok. Mania erupted at the Dutch end — celebration and joy, but each Dutch player’s face is colored with relief and motivation — happy that they’re now on even terms, but hungry to get another goal with 14 minutes left to go.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/16040036/Netherlands-Turkiye-1-1200x800-1200x800.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-515133" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>And sure enough, they did. Finally, after a second half of chasing Turkiye’s hard-fought lead, the Netherlands found their winner. Denzel Dumfries desperately sprinted onto a through-ball and stabbed another rolling pass to the Dutch’s best player of the tournament, Cody Gakpo. Gakpo stumbled over the ball, shoved by a similarly frantic Turkish defender, but, in the end, his mishit tap was enough to beat Günok. It was a proper example of the duality between win and loss — Depay and Gakpo running together, celebrating in front of rabid, orange-clothed fans while Günok lays prone and exhausted. </p>



<h2>Late Turkiye surge not enough</h2>



<p>Turkiye does well to fight back against the Netherlands. The flames of Turkish red-and-white licked the well-built Dutch defense, threatening to destroy any semblance of continuity and structure the Netherlands built up through the match. </p>



<p>But, in the end, the Netherlands did just enough to squeak through over Turkiye. Verbruggen put in one of his best saves of the tournament in stoppage time, barely tipping Semih Kiliscoy’s volley away from the net to keep the Dutch’s lead. Then, after Hakan Calhanoglu broke away to set up a one-on-one with Verbruggen, defender Denzel Dumfries repaid the favor by putting an amazing sliding tackle on Calhanoglu to all but seal the game.</p>



<p>The Netherlands will field a full-strength team as they face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a>, with a finals berth at stake. As for Turkiye, they bow out with one of their best performances at a tournament ever. The seeds of their second golden generation look planted as they set their eyes on a World Cup bid.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


Netherlands fights to bloody 2-1 win over Turkiye

Thanks to a 76th-minute strike from Cody Gakpo -- his fourth goal of the Euros -- the Netherlands beat Turkiye 2-1 to make the semifinals.

Netherlands fights to bloody 2-1 win over Turkiye - World Soccer Talk

<p>Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of highly-rated teenage prospect Arda Güler. The 18-year-old Turkey international was being chased by many top clubs but eventually chose the Spanish giants. Güler has been dubbed the ‘Turkish Messi’ for his ability and style of play. He signed a six-year contract with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LaLiga</a> club on Friday.</p>



<p>Güler was introduced at the team’s facilities alongside <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real</a> President Florentino Perez. The club exec praised the youngster and congratulated him on joining the squad. “We welcome you and thank you for choosing this badge and this shirt to write your own history,” Perez <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/07/07/arda-guler-unveiled-as-new-real-madrid-player" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> the teen. “At just 18 years of age, you have already fulfilled one of the greatest dreams of your life. You have come to Real Madrid, the club that has won 14&nbsp;European Cups.”</p>



<h2>Arda Güler picked Real Madrid after plethora of options</h2>



<p>Real won the race to sign Güler. It beat out a number of top clubs that wanted the Fenerbahce starlet. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/psg-tv-schedule/">Paris Saint-Germain</a>, Napoli, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a> were among a crowded field of suitors for the player. Nevertheless, Güler has opted for Real. The Spanish club will reportedly pay Fenerbahce around $21 million.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Arda Güler, new REAL MADRID PLAYER" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GFxwYPsEY1g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>“First of all, I’d like to thank all my family and all the people who have contributed to this moment,” Güler <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/07/07/arda-guler-i-want-to-form-part-of-real-madrids-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> at his press conference. “I also want to thank the club president for his kind words. I also want to become a club legend like&nbsp;Di Stéfano.”</p>



<p>“This is the most important club in the world and I feel very happy and proud to be here. Many clubs have approached me, but Real Madrid was my preference. I want to bring all my football and talent to Real Madrid.”</p>



<h5>Playmaker made full Fener debut at just 16</h5>



<p>Despite his age, Güler made over 50 total senior appearances for the Turkish side. He scored nine goals and added 12 assists in 51 matches for Fenerbahce. The versatile playmaker can practically play anywhere in midfield or out on the flanks. However, the teen generally prefers to work in the central midfield. Güler will wear the No. 24 jersey at the club.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; Seskim Photo TR</em></p>


Real Madrid win race to sign teen dubbed the 'Turkish Messi'

Turkey international Arda Guler has chosen to sign for Real Madrid after at least a half-dozen top clubs chased his signature.

Latest news from Arda Güler. Find out about all the news related to Arda Güler on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Arda Güler"

UEFA Euro 2024

Netherlands fights to bloody 2-1 win over Turkiye

News

Real Madrid win race to sign teen dubbed the 'Turkish Messi'