Turkey 2-0 Wales: Rob Page's side consigned to second defeat in a row
Turkey 2-0 Wales: Rob Page’s side are consigned to a second successive defeat after Joe Morrell is sent off to dent their Euro 2024 qualifying hopes
- Wales were beaten 2-0 by Turkey after goals from Umut Nayir and Arda Guler
- Joe Morrell was sent off in the first half following a bad tackle on Ferdi Kadioglu
- It was a tough night for Rob Page after Wales also lost to Armenia 4-2 on Friday
Ten-man Wales were deservedly sunk by a glorious strike from one of European football’s outstanding prospects.
Turkey’s 18-year-old sensation Arda Guler curled in a brilliant second in the closing stages after fellow substitute Umut Nayir had put the home side one up.
That means two defeats in four days for Wales, who had Joe Morrell sent off, which dealt a blow to their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024, and leaves boss Rob Page under increasing scrutiny in the post-Gareth Bale era.
Wales survived a scare in the ninth minute when Zeki Celik’s cut-back was turned into his own net by Joe Rodon, with the visitors rescued by a marginal offside.
But there was no reprieve for the visitors four minutes before half-time when Morrell was shown a straight red card for an appalling challenge on Ferdi Kadioglu.
Wales suffered their second successive defeat in Euro 2024 qualifying after they were well-beaten by Turkey 2-0
Things started badly for Rob Page’s side when Joe Morrell was sent off for a bad challenge
Umut Nayir eventually broke the deadlock in the second half after they dominated the game
Soon after the hour Wales conceded an unlucky penalty when Kadioglu’s cross hit Aaron Ramsey on the arm.
Justice was done, however, when Danny Ward kept out Hakan Calhanoglu’s kick.
Turkey kept pressing but were frustrated again when Ward fumbled and Umut turned home only to be penalised for handball.
Umut finally made Wales pay with a powerful header from Buruk Yilmaz’s cross before Guler curled home from 25 yards.
MATCH FACTS
TURKEY: (4-3-3) Gunok; Celik (Elmali 60), Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu (Kahveci 73); Calhanoglu, Ozcan (Guler 61), Kokcu (Ucan 89); Under, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu (Nayir 45)
SUBS NOT USED: Akaydin, Sengezer, Kabak, Yuksek, Karaman, Ozkacar, Cakir
GOALS: Nayir 72, Guler 80
PENS MISSED: Calhanoglu 64
BOOKED: Celik, Demiral, Kahveci, Under
MANAGER: Stefan Kuntz
WALES : (4-2-3-1) Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, N Williams; Morrell, Ampadu; Wilson (Broadhead 84), Ramsey (James 84), James (Bradshaw 62); Johnson (Cabango 45)
SUBS NOT USED: Hennessey, Fox, Low, Brooks, Harris, Cooper, Davies, Cullen
GOALS: NONE
BOOKED: Roberts
RED CARDS: Morrell 41
MANAGER: Rob Page
REFEREE: Fabio Maresca
MORE TO FOLLOW
Nayir’s goal came after Turkey had two goals ruled out and Hakan Calhanoglu missed a penalty
The hosts added a second thanks to a wonderful finish from teenage sensation Arda Guler, 18
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