Turkey 4-2 Netherlands: 5 talking points as Burak Yilmaz sinks the Oranje | World Cup Qualifiers 2021

Turkey celebrates after scoring a goal
Turkey celebrates after scoring a goal

#3. Burak Yilmaz was the star performer

Burak Yilmaz rejoices after scoring a goal
Burak Yilmaz rejoices after scoring a goal

Burak Yilmaz scored a brilliant hat-trick to steal the show against the Netherlands. He became the first player to score a hat-trick against the Dutch national team since 1980.

The Turk had Daley Blind gasping for breath. He came out on top of the Dutch back line every time, winning each challenge. Yilmaz won 8 duels last night. His sublime free-kick to beat Krul was just the icing on the cake.


#2. Netherlands looked clueless from defense to attack

Memphis Depay (R) looked dejected after the final whistle
Memphis Depay (R) looked dejected after the final whistle

The Dutch national team looked lethargic at the back. Blind looked sluggish throughout. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt was unlucky to have the first goal deflected off him.

In midfield and attack, the visitors looked lost for ideas. They failed to speed up the process of transitioning and waited until too many Turkish bodies had the time to get back and re-position themselves. The Netherlands lacked the desire, creativity and the energy to see out the hosts.


#1. Ugarcan Cakir was the savior for the hosts

Ugargan Cakir was Turkey's savior of the night
Ugargan Cakir was Turkey's savior of the night

Although Ugarcan Cakir conceded twice against the Dutch national team, he had a brilliant game. The 24-year-old could also be blamed for one of the goals his side conceded, but he made up for all that with his heroics in the dying minutes of the game.

Cakir made some brilliant saves in stoppage time to deny the visitors. He brilliantly saved a penalty from Memphis Depay late into stoppage time as well. Moreover, he made another great stop to rebuff Depay in the closing stages of the game.

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