Türkiye opened the scoring early against Bulgaria in Sofia. Arda Güler curled in a shot from inside the box in the 11th minute to give his team the lead. Just two minutes later, Bulgaria responded through Radoslav Kirilov, leveling the score with a well-taken finish after a cross from Kiril Despodov.
Despite Bulgaria’s equalizer, Türkiye steadily seized control. They increased pressure and possession, creating opportunities frequently. Their momentum paid off just before halftime as Türkiye looked more poised and composed in the final third.
Second Half Surge Secures Big Win
Türkiye came out after the break ready to dominate. Viktor Popov scored an own goal in the 49th minute, giving Türkiye the advantage. Within minutes, Kenan Yıldız scored twice in the 51st and 56th minutes, turning the match decisively in Türkiye’s favor.
Later, Zeki Çelik added a fifth goal in the 65th minute, benefiting from a corner executed with precision by Türkiye’s attacking line. Finally, İrfan Can Kahveci sealed the emphatic 6-1 win with a goal in stoppage time, deep into added time. Türkiye’s defense remained solid, while Bulgaria struggled to respond.
Bulgaria’s Performance and Weaknesses
For Bulgaria, the game exposed defensive frailties. They allowed far too many chances and failed to maintain pressure once Türkiye took the lead. After the own goal and Yıldız’s second strike, Bulgaria looked disjointed and unable to adjust tactically.
Though Kirilov’s early goal showed they had spark, Bulgaria couldn’t sustain momentum. Their possession dropped, passing errors increased, and counter-attacks seldom threatened Türkiye’s goal.
Implication for Group E Standings
With this win, Türkiye boosts its position in Group E. They now have two victories, strengthening their case for qualification. Spain still leads the group, but Türkiye’s performance shows they intend to stay in the race for direct qualification.
Bulgaria, meanwhile, finds itself under increasing pressure. Without points so far, their campaign looks tough ahead. They must regroup quickly if they hope to salvage something from the group.
Standout Players and Tactical Notes
Arda Güler stood out as a creative hub. He recorded the opening goal and supplied key passes and assists throughout the match. His vision and movement unlocked Bulgaria’s defense repeatedly.
Kenan Yıldız impressed with his sharp finishing, scoring two goals in quick succession that killed Bulgaria’s hopes. Zeki Çelik showed aerial strength, while İrfan Can Kahveci’s late strike added gloss to the result.
On the defensive side, Türkiye’s backline held firm after Bulgaria’s early goal and allowed very few clear chances. Goalkeeper and defenders combined discipline with concentration.
Conclusion
Türkiye’s 6-1 rout of Bulgaria demonstrated both attacking flair and positional discipline. The match turned on momentum and precision, with Türkiye taking full advantage of its offensive cycle. Bulgaria’s early hope faded quickly, leaving them to face tough realities in Group E. Moving forward, Türkiye will aim to maintain consistency, while Bulgaria must address defensive lapses and find ways to respond under pressure.
Bonus Read: Haaland Hat-Trick Fires Norway to 5-0 Win Over Israel
2 thoughts on “Türkiye Crushes Bulgaria 6-1 in World Cup Qualifier”