Turkey stunned by Wales 2-0 in EURO 2020
BAKU
Turkey on June 16 suffered a 2-0 loss to Wales in the UEFA EURO 2020 Group A game two, risking their last 16 chances.
Having several goal chances in the first half, Wales finally made it 1-0 in minute 43 at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
Welsh captain Gareth Bale lobbed the ball to Aaron Ramsey as the 30-year-old midfielder controlled the ball with his chest to finish in a one-on-one chance against Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
Wales led the first half 1-0.
In the second half, Turkey started to react against Wales as Turkish forward Burak Yılmaz fired a right-footed volley in close range in the 54th minute but missed the chance.
In minute 60, the Welsh team was awarded a penalty kick when Bale was fouled by Turkish right-back Zeki Çelik in the box.
Bale sent the ball over the bar to miss the penalty.
Turkey seemed encouraged after the Wales star had missed the penalty kick.
In the 87th minute, Turkish defender Merih Demiral powered a header but it was parried by Welsh goalie Danny Ward.
Near the end of the game, players had a brawl after Yılmaz's foul on a Welsh player. Four players were cautioned by the referee.
Wales' Chris Mepham and Ben Davies were shown a yellow card each.
Turkey duo Yılmaz and Hakan Çalhanoğlu have brandished a yellow card each as well.
In the 95th minute, Wales clinched the 2-0 victory after Connor Roberts' goal.
Bale tricked Turkey into pretending to control the ball in the corner as if he was wasting time. Then he dribbled near the byline to pass the ball to Welsh defender Roberts in the area, who made a low shot at beating Turkish goalie Çakır.
Bale was named the man of the match.
Wales have four points to top Group A.
Italy have three points but will take on Switzerland on Wednesday in game two.
Switzerland is in third with one point.
Turkey, who respectively lost to Italy and Wales, are at the bottom without any points.
Turkey manager: Wales gets huge advantage
Turkish team's manager Şenol Güneş congratulated Wales on the victory and said the Welsh have a massive advantage for the upcoming round.
"We are sad. This tournament was important,” said Güneş. “Our opponent [Wales] had a big advantage [to be in the last 16]. We thought to win this match but did not even get a draw. We might have a chance in the last match [against Switzerland], but it looks quite hard when we look at the goal difference [in the group]."
Güneş also said the team were upset for sure because Turkey could not score any goals in Italy and Wales matches.
He said that Wales' first goal scored by Ramsey was unexpected and the morale of his team dropped.
Meanwhile, Wales manager Rob Page said he is happy about the victory but was expecting more goals.
"I couldn't be more proud. I've just said to them to create the number of chances we did is unbelievable. We are disappointed we didn't score more but to win in the manner we did, credit goes to the players," said Page.
"No disrespect to Turkey but they are a different side to Switzerland, but we knew we had more to come," he added.
