The Turkey National Football Team defeated Iceland 4-2 in the fourth match of Group B League 4 of the UEFA Nations League. With this victory, the crescent-stars reached 10 points and managed to maintain their lead. This marked a significant victory as Turkey defeated Iceland away for the first time in history. Icelandic journalists made special statements to Spor Arena after the match, evaluating the national team’s successful performance in the tournament.
The Turkey National Team continued their unbeaten run by beating Iceland at Laugardalsvollur Stadium with goals from İrfan Can Kahveci, Hakan Calhanoglu (penalty), Arda Güler, and Kerem Akturkoglu. The goal scored by captain Hakan Calhanoglu from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute was canceled due to the ball having touched him twice during the kick. Particularly in the second half, the crescent-stars delivered an effective performance, thoroughly defeating their resilient opponent. Icelandic colleagues closely following the match shared their analyses after the high-stakes encounter.
Comments from Icelandic Journalists After the Match:
Hoddi Magnusson (RUV):
“We Played Very Good Quick Attacks in the First Half”
Iceland’s performance in the first half was very good. The team played compact football and didn’t lose any duels. We executed some excellent quick counter-attacks, and Orri Oskarsson scored a fantastic goal using his individual quality. Orri Oskarsson has an explosive pace in short sprints. The Turkish defense was very slow, and the defensive line was too high. However, not playing well enough throughout the match summarized Iceland’s story in recent years. This was the case again in this match.
“TURKEY SHOWED ITS QUALITY WITH GREAT PASSES AND INTELLIGENCE”
This Turkish team has great potential with many young players and the stable playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu. I was very impressed with the team’s performance in the last European Championship in Germany. I believe this team has the potential to be the best in Turkish history. Turkey showed its quality to everyone with great passes and intelligence in the second half.
“I THINK TURKEY WILL AT LEAST REACH THE SEMIFINALS”
We witnessed fantastic goals from İrfan Can Kahveci and especially from Kerem Akturkoglu, who became Iceland’s main rival with the three goals he scored in the first match and another goal this evening. I believe the front five of the Turkish team—Kenan Yıldız, Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, İrfan Can Kahveci, and currently your best player, the clever footballer Kerem Akturkoglu—made a significant difference. I believe Turkey will at least reach the semifinals and might even play in the final. Turkey is in such a good position right now.
Agust Orri Arnarson (STOD2): “TURKEY DISPLAYED A MORE WARRIOR-LIKE SPIRIT AND DESERVED THE VICTORY”
Iceland did a great job by scoring an early goal with Orri Oskarsson’s counterattack and beautiful finishing shot. After the goal, the team defended well and created several goal-scoring opportunities with quick attacks. Turkey is a good team with technical players who can create fast-paced positions, but the Icelandic defense was very tight in the first half and hard to break. Overall, Iceland’s performance in the first half was good, especially defensively and in counterattacks. We knew Turkey would have more possession, but they couldn’t create many goal-scoring opportunities. Therefore, they had to take shots from outside the penalty area, but our goalkeeper managed to save those shots. Turkey was the much better team in the second half. They played more intense football, displayed a warrior-like spirit, and deserved the victory. Iceland looked tired as the game progressed and couldn’t defend as well as in the first half.
“KEREM AKTURKOGLU ONLY MANAGED TO SCORE ONE GOAL THIS TIME!”
Irfan Can Kahveci’s first goal was absolutely fantastic. Irfan Can sent a wonderful shot from outside the penalty area, and goalkeeper Valdimarsson had no chance to save it. Kerem Akturgoglu’s goal was also very good; it was a nice shot, but it wasn’t as crucial as the first one. Because with Irfan Can’s goal, the match was already won from that point onward. It’s clear that Kerem Akturgoglu is still a great player, having managed to score in both matches against Iceland. Fortunately, he only managed to score one goal this time!
“TURKEY IS A HIGH-QUALITY TEAM THAT IS DIFFICULT TO FACE IN EVERY ASPECT”
I believe Turkey has shown that it is the best team in the group. It is a high-quality team that is very difficult to face in every aspect. I think they will finish the group in first place. The match against Wales will be critical, but I believe the home advantage will be in favor of Turkey. They are probably one of the hardest teams to play against in international football. Turkey has been showing magnificent performances lately and had a good performance in Euro 2024 as well. With this performance, Turkey is a very suitable team for the UEFA Nations League A.
