Turkish team beats North Macedonia 4-0 in a friendly preparatory match for the 2026 World Cup
Seleção Turca Masculina of Futebol defeated Macedônia of Norte 4-0 this Monday, June 1st. The preparatory friendly game for Copa of Mundo FIFA 2026 took place in Kadıköy. Orkun Kökçü opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Can Uzun, Deniz Gül and Barış Alper Yılmaz completed the rout.
The home team dominated from the start. Can Uzun hit the post after just 11 seconds. The high blood pressure took effect quickly. Turquia returned to play in Kadıköy after 1967 days, since the draw with Noruega in 2021. The stadium welcomed the team with good attendance.
Turquia opens the scoring with high pressure at the beginning
The team led by Vincenzo Montella started with intensity. Oğuz Aydın recovered the ball on the right and crossed low. Orkun Kökçü finished first for the goal. Aos 16 minutes, Eren Elmalı advanced from the left and played for Can Uzun. The 20-year-old striker’s shot went past goalkeeper Dimitrievski and made it 2-0.
The first half ended with a clear Turkish advantage. Norte’s Macedônia had little chance. Altay Bayındır made an important save on Alioski’s shot. Oğuz Aydın even demanded another intervention from the opposing goalkeeper before the break.
Lesão marks first half and forces change
Eren Elmalı suffered a blow to the head in the 8th minute. Ele received treatment, returned, but felt dizzy. The left-back left the field in the 27th minute. Zeki Çelik took its place. Mert Müldür passed to the left. Eren Elmalı was taken to hospital at half-time as a precaution.
Nove players were not called up. The list included Uğurcan Çakır, Ersin Destanoğlu, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Atakan Karazor, Kenan Yıldız and Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Can Uzun scores first goal for the national team and assists
Can Uzun had a special night. Ele scored his first goal in a Turkish shirt in the 16th minute. In the second half, he launched Deniz Gül, who headed the third goal in the 53rd minute. The striker, who came on as a substitute against Bulgária in the qualifiers, now has a goal and an assist in just two matches.
- Orkun Kökçü opened the scoring in the 2nd minute
- Can Uzun doubled in the 16th minute and assisted on the third goal
- Deniz Gül headed the third goal in the 53rd minute
- Barış Alper Yılmaz completed the rout in the 70th minute
Aral Şimşir debuts and shows skill
Aral Şimşir, from Midtjylland, from Dinamarca, played his first match for the national team. The 23-year-old winger came on in the 63rd minute replacing Can Uzun. Ele caught attention with his dribbling and precise passes. His entry was part of the changes that gave the team momentum in the second half.
Arda Güler also participated. Ele made a backheel pass that led to the fourth goal. İrfan Can Kahveci crossed and Barış Alper Yılmaz finished with precision in the 70th minute.
Escalação and Turquia replacements
The starting lineup had Altay Bayındır in goal. The defense featured Mert Müldür, Ozan Kabak, Çağlar Söyüncü and Eren Elmalı. In the middle, Salih Özcan and Orkun Kökçü. In attack, Yunus Akgün, Can Uzun and Oğuz Aydın. Deniz Gül played more advanced.
The changes occurred in sequence. Muhammed Şengezer, Samet Akaydin, Merih Demiral, Zeki Çelik, Kaan Ayhan, Demir Ege Tıknaz, İrfan Can Kahveci, Aral Şimşir, Arda Güler and Barış Alper Yılmaz entered during the match.
Norte’s Macedônia had few chances
The visiting team did little to threaten. Goalkeeper Dimitrievski worked hard in the first half. Fetai received a yellow card in the 42nd minute. Substitutions at half-time did not change the outlook. Turquia controlled the pace and avoided dangerous counterattacks.
Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, assisted by Diego Barbero Sevilla and Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno, had no major problems conducting the game.
The victory reinforces Turkish preparation. The team showed good chemistry and took advantage of set pieces and worked plays. The victory serves as a positive test before the most demanding commitments towards Copa of Mundo.
