Turkey finished second in Euro 2024 Group F behind Portugal, setting up last-16 clash with Austria
\n HAMBURG
\nTurkey secured a place in the Euro 2024 last-16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a resilient 10-man Czech Republic on Wednesday. Goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun ensured Turkey\u2019s progression, while the Czechs were sent packing.
\nMidfielder Antonin Barak, 28, was shown a harsh second yellow card in the 20th minute, leaving the Czechs with a steep hill to climb. Despite their disadvantage, the Czech team showed impressive spirit and determination throughout the match.
\nCalhanoglu broke the deadlock in the 50th minute with a precise low shot, marking his first goal in his third Euros. His strike ignited celebrations among Turkish fans, who had turned out in large numbers, creating a raucous atmosphere in Hamburg. Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek, who appeared to injure his shoulder during a save, was unable to continue after Calhanoglu\u2019s goal.
\nThe match took another dramatic turn when 19-year-old Arda Guler missed a golden opportunity to double Turkey\u2019s lead. Moments later, Tomas Soucek equalised for the Czechs in the 66th minute, pouncing on a chaotic long throw-in to score.
\nIn a thrilling climax, Tosun netted the winner in stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations on the Turkish bench and among their supporters. The victory exorcised the ghosts of Euro 2020, where Turkey had suffered three defeats and conceded eight goals.
\n\u201cWe all fought very well together,\u201d said defender Mert Muldur. \u201cWe had a hard time against such teams in the past. I think we have improved ourselves.\u201d
\nTurkey finished second in Group F behind Portugal, setting up a last-16 clash with Austria on 2nd July in Leipzig. \u201cWhen we talked with our friends before the camp, our only goal was to get out of the group. We kept our promise,\u201d said winger Baris Alper Yilmaz. \u201cNow we will proceed step by step. We are very happy.\u201d
\nThe Czechs, who needed a win to advance, were left to rue their missed opportunity. Captain Soucek expressed his disappointment, criticising the \u201cdisrespectful\u201d red card that had tilted the game. \u201cIt is a disappointment because we all wanted to advance,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cEveryone did the maximum. The morale was huge. Just a sad end… But that is football.\u201d
\nPortugal, already assured of top place in the group, surprisingly lost to Georgia, who advanced as one of the best third-placed finishers. The Czechs ended their campaign at the bottom of the group with just one point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Turkey finished second in Euro 2024 Group F behind Portugal, setting up last-16 clash with Austria HAMBURG Turkey secured a place in the Euro 2024 last-16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a resilient 10-man Czech Republic on Wednesday. Goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun ensured Turkey\u2019s progression, while the Czechs were sent packing. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":415066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-415048","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n