Exclamation mark in the World Cup qualification
Furious appearance: Türkiye sweeps over Bulgaria
October 11, 2025 – 10:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Turkish national team has rehabilitated itself after the debacle against Spain. The team celebrated a landslide win against Bulgaria.
The Turkish national team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup have increased again: On Saturday, coach Vincenzo Montella’s team won 6-1 (1-1) in their away game in Bulgaria.
After three games, Turkey now has six points and is in second place, one place behind Spain, who have already collected nine points. A few weeks ago they lost 6-0 at home to the European champions. Now the Turkish selection was able to rehabilitate itself.
Real Madrid’s Arda Güler gave the guests an early lead at the Wassil Levski National Stadium in Sofia (11th minute). However, Bulgaria immediately equalized through Radoslav Kirilov (13th). With the draw we went into the break.
In the second period, a curious own goal put Turkey in the front again. Viktor Popov maneuvered the ball in a high arc over goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov and into his own net (49′). Turkey then really turned up the heat: Juventus professional Kenan Yıldız scored twice (51st, 55th). Zeki Çelik increased the score further (65th), before Irfan Can Kahveci made it half a dozen in added time and made the final score (90th +3).
Turkey’s landmark home game against Georgia awaits on Tuesday. Ex-Bayern professional Willy Sagnol’s team lost 2-0 in Spain parallel to Turkey’s success in Bulgaria. Yeremy (24th) and Mikel Oyarzabal (64th) scored the two goals for “La Furia Roja” in Elche. Georgia has scored three points so far and is in third place in the table.