Turkey Edge Romania 1-0 in 2026 World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final

Turkey hosts Romania in the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final at Dolmabahce Stadium. Kick-off was at 20:00 local time. The winner will face the victor of the Kosovo vs Slovakia match in the World Cup play-off final on March 31.

LIVE SCORE: Turkey 1-0 Romania

1′ – Kick-off: The match has started.

17′ – Turkey comes close! The national team earned a free-kick from a central position. Hakan Calhanoglu’s shot went just over the crossbar.

18′ – Yellow card for Romania. Dragomir booked after a foul on Arda Guler.

23′ – Hit the post! In a quick Romania counter, Birligea controlled a through ball behind the defense and cut it inside. Man’s shot struck the post, and play was stopped as the offside flag was raised.

27′ – Close miss for Arda. Turkey regains pressure. From the left, Hakan’s dangerous corner was cleared by the Romanian defense. The ball fell to Arda Guler outside the box, who tried a left-footed shot, but he missed at the last moment.

32′ – Missed opportunity. After winning the ball, Kenan Yildiz advanced from the left side into the box and played it back. Arda Guler struck it first-time with his left from just outside the penalty spot, but the shot went over the bar.

Half-time – The first half has ended.

46′ – The second half has started.

53′ – Goal! Turkey takes the lead 1-0. After Arda Guler played a ball behind the Romanian defense, Ferdi Kadioglu moved into the box, controlled it, and finished to put the ball in the net.

55′ – Romania came close to an equalizer. A cross from the left into the box was cleared by Abdulkerim Bardakci in a crucial defensive intervention. The ball fell to Hagi, whose low shot went wide of the near post.

61′ – Hit the post. Turkey came very close to a second goal. Kenan Yildiz received the ball on the left side of the box, took on a defender, cut inside, and placed a shot, but the ball struck the crossbar and went out.

70′ – Final 20 minutes. Play was briefly stopped after Mert Muldur picked up a minor knock and received treatment. The match has resumed, with 20 minutes remaining in Turkey’s World Cup play-off semi-final.

72′ – Arda Guler chance. Arda Guler produced an excellent first touch before driving into the box from the left side. He struck a left-footed effort, but goalkeeper Radu responded with a strong save.

77′ – Romania hits the woodwork. Following a corner, the ball dropped loose inside the box during a scramble. Hagi reacted first, but his shot came back off the post.

78′ – First substitution for Turkey. Vincenzo Montella makes his first change of the match, with Orkun Kokcu coming on for Baris Alper Yilmaz.

83′ – Last-ditch block. Turkey threatened again in search of a second goal as Orkun Kokcu played a low pass from the edge of the box toward Kerem inside the area, but the Romanian defense made a crucial interception to deny the chance.

90′ – Three minutes added on. The fourth official has indicated a minimum of three minutes of stoppage time. Turkey also makes two late changes, with Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu replaced by Ozan Kabak and Irfan Can Kahveci.

Starting Lineups

Turkey: Ugurcan Cakir, Mert Mudur, Samet Akaydin, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ferdi Kadioglu, Ismail Yuksek, Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Akturkoglu

Turkey Substitutes: Mert Gunok, Altay Bayindir, Atakan Karazor, Eren Elmali, Salih Ozcan, Orkun Kokcu, Deniz Gul, Ozan Kabak, Irfan Can Kahveci, Oguz Aydin, Yunus Akgun, Kaan Ayhan

Romania: Radu, Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu, Marin, Dragomir, Hagi, Man, Mihaila, Birligea