Türkiye claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Romania in a World Cup qualifier at Beşiktaş Park, with Ferdi Kadıoğlu firing home from Arda Güler’s exquisite assist midway through the second half to send the home crowd into rapture. The win keeps Türkiye’s qualification hopes alive, though they squandered several gilt-edged chances in a match defined by relentless pressure and stout defending.
The first half unfolded as a cagey affair, with Türkiye dictating possession but struggling to pierce Romania’s deep block. Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s curling free kick skimmed the bar early, while Barış Alper Yılmaz and Kerem Aktürkoğlu combined for a slick move snuffed out by keeper Radu.
Romania threatened sporadically, Dennis Man forcing Samet Akaydın into a last-ditch block, but Abdülkerim Bardakçı’s rasping drive, tipped wide by Radu, signalled Türkiye’s growing menace.
Güler’s vision unlocks Romania’s wall
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute. Arda Güler, the teenage wizard, spotted Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s diagonal run with a left-footed beauty from the right flank. The Fenerbahçe winger controlled inside the six-yard box and slotted home, his third international goal.
Türkiye poured forward for a second. Kenan Yıldız crashed against the upright, Orkun Kökçü fed Kerem only for a defender’s toe to deny a tap-in, and Güler drew a stunning save from Radu after gliding into the box. İsmail Yüksek and İrfan Can Kahveci flashed efforts wide as Vincenzo Montella’s men dominated.
Romania’s late rally falls short
Romania mounted a desperate siege. Waves of corners culminated in Dennis Man’s thunderbolt cannoning off the post and across the line before a follow-up struck the frame, inches from a leveller. Hagir’s son dragged wide in stoppage time, but Uğurcan Çakır’s command kept a clean sheet.
