Türkiye fell 2-1 to Belgium in Izmir on Thursday, handing the hosts their fifth consecutive UEFA Nations League defeat in Sergen Yalçın’s debut as national team head coach.
The Group A1 match at Gürsel Aksel Stadium began brightly for the hosts when Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler curled a stunning long-range free-kick into the top-left corner in the 20th minute, leaving Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens helpless.
Just seven minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne drew Belgium level by sweeping home a first-time shot following a low cross from Jeremy Doku, who had gotten past Oğuz Aydın on the left side.
Uğurcan Çakır initially stopped Diego Moreira’s shot, but Maxim De Cuyper gathered the rebound and set up Charles De Ketelaere to net from close range in the 30th minute, sealing the away side’s turnaround and establishing a 2-1 advantage at the break.
In the 58th minute, Yalçın introduced his initial changes by replacing Orkun Kökçu and Enes Ünal with Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Deniz Gül.
Moments later, after the Belgian attacker pierced the Turkish backline, Çakır blocked a close-range attempt from De Ketelaere.
As the hosts pushed hard for a late leveler, Lammens stopped Gül in the 82nd minute following a slick passing sequence featuring Güler and Zeki Çelik.
The Belgian goalkeeper saved another shot in the second minute of stoppage time, using his feet to block Çalhanoğlu's powerful strike from inside the penalty area.
Following this loss, Türkiye remain winless after five games, whereas Belgium moved up to the second spot holding nine points ahead of the upcoming match between Italy and France on Thursday.
