Mistrovství světa - kvalifikace FIFA - Mistrovství světa - kvalifikace 2026

Müldür shines brightest for Crescent-Stars Chris Heath, 04.09.2025 20:07 Turkey began their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification (WCQ) campaign in convincing style by beating Georgia 3-2 at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena - a fourth win in five matches for the nation that famously finished third in the 2002 World Cup edition. Aiming to make their first WC finals appearance since that famous run in the Far East, Turkey didn’t take long to strike. Having opened the scoring in the last H2H at UEFA Euro 2024, Mert Müldür broke the deadlock once again, as he planted a towering header from Arda Güler’s precise delivery past Giorgi Mamardashvili after only three minutes. And one could have easily become two for Turkey seven minutes later, if it wasn’t for a last-ditch defensive deflection denying Güler from getting his name on the scoresheet. The Real Madrid wonderkid was at it again in the 24th minute, with a fierce effort that flew narrowly wide of the post. Georgia didn’t learn their lesson though, and Turkey eventually doubled their advantage four minutes before HT, as the in-form figure of Kerem Aktürkoğlu - who netted five times during the Crescent-Stars’ successful 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign - expertly guided the ball into the bottom corner of the net from inside the area. It took only seven minutes of the second half for Aktürkoğlu to complete his brace and surely end any hopes the hosts might have had of a comeback. Georgia inexplicably lost possession within their own half, which allowed Güler and Oğuz Aydın to feed the striker, who clinically converted from close range. Georgia did give Turkey goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır something to do just after the hour mark - picking the ball out of the back of the net, to be precise, as Zuriko Davitashvili slotted home the rebound after Anzor Mekvabishvili’s effort had struck the post. Tempers then flared up at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in the 71st minute, as Turkey were reduced to 10 men. Referee Davide Massa not only sent off substitute Barış Alper Yılmaz for a horror challenge on Giorgi Kochorashvili’s ankle, but gave Georgia manager Willy Sangol his marching orders as well. The rest of the game was played out in calmer waters apart from Georgia giving Turkey a late scare with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring deep into injury time with a perfectly-placed shot into the corner from the edge of the area. An away day success in the Georgian capital for Turkey puts them in fine stride for Sunday’s mouth-watering clash against reigning European champions and Group E favourites Spain.