Türkiye moved within one win of ending their 24-year World Cup exile on Thursday night as Ferdi Kadıoğlu struck to secure a 1-0 play-off victory over Romania.
In a high-stakes encounter at Beşiktaş Park, a moment of magic from Real Madrid starlet Arda Güler proved the difference. The win sends Vincenzo Montella’s side into a winner-takes-all play-off final against Kosovo this Tuesday.
Türkiye haven’t appeared at a FIFA World Cup since their historic third-place finish in 2002, and the atmosphere in Istanbul reflected the weight of that long wait.
The decisive moment arrived in the 53rd minute following a tactical adjustment during the interval. Güler produced a superb, defence-splitting pass to find the overlapping run of Kadıoğlu, who controlled the ball and finished with clinical composure. “We discussed the goal at the halftime break,”
Güler told Turkish broadcaster TV8. “I would get the ball and Ferdi would make a run into the penalty box. It happened exactly how we planned it.” This synergy between Türkiye’s young stars has become the hallmark of Montella’s rebuilding project.
Montella’s New Era Takes Shape
Türkiye grew in confidence after the opening goal and nearly doubled their lead shortly after. Juventus winger Kenan Yıldız showcased his elite potential by cutting in from the left, though his curling effort rattled the crossbar.
While Romania pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the Turkish backline held firm under intense pressure. This defensive resilience marked a significant step forward for a team that has occasionally struggled with fragility during their qualifying campaign, where they finished second behind Spain.
The victory sets up an intriguing Path C final in Pristina on 31 March. Türkiye will face a Kosovo side buoyed by a thrilling 4-3 victory over Slovakia. For Romania, the defeat ends their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Meanwhile, Türkiye look to reclaim a footballing identity that has been defined by the distant memories of 2002. Under Montella, the combination of veteran leadership from Hakan Çalhanoğlu and the flair of Güler and Yıldız has made them formidable contenders for a spot in North America.
UEFA World Cup Play-off Final: Path C
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Fixture: Kosovo vs Türkiye
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Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
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Venue: Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina
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Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
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