In a thrilling match of the UEFA Nations League playoffs held on March 20, 2025, Turkey triumphed over Hungary with a final score of 3-1, securing their spot in League A while pushing Hungary closer to relegation.
The encounter took place at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul, and the match kicked off at 18:00 local time. Turkey, managed by Italian coach Vincenzo Montella, aspired to maintain their position in the top league after an inconsistent group stage performance.
It didn’t take long for Turkey to take the lead; just nine minutes into the match, Orkun Kökçü netted a stunning goal from 20 meters, giving the home team an early advantage. The goal was set up by Oguz Aydin, who delivered a precise pass that found Kökçü poised at the edge of the penalty area.
Responding quickly, Hungary fought back with vigor. They nearly equalized shortly after Kökçü’s goal when Zsolt Nagy and Milos Kerkez both forced Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir into action with powerful attempts. However, Hungary's persistence paid off as they managed to find the back of the net in the 25th minute. Following a defensive error from Turkey, András Schäfer capitalized on the opportunity to score, leveling the game at 1-1.
As the match progressed, both teams exchanged chances, with Barnabás Varga coming close to giving Hungary the lead with a header that narrowly missed. However, Turkey responded with significant pressure and regained their lead in the 69th minute. Kerem Aktürkoglu directed a well-placed header into the net after another assist from Aydin, marking his fifth goal in six appearances.
Turkey wasn’t done yet. Just four minutes later, Irfan Can Kahveci added a third goal for the home side, running onto a loose ball in the box and driving it into the bottom corner. This sequence of swift goals left Hungary struggling to keep up.
Despite some late attempts, Hungary could not find the way through Turkey's defensive line, securing a critical victory for the home side. The result marks Turkey's seventh consecutive home match unbeaten in the Nations League. Conversely, this loss means Hungary faces a tricky second leg at home in the Puskás Aréna, where they must overturn the deficit to avoid relegation.
The aftermath of the match puts Hungary under significant pressure, having been defeated in consecutive away matches in competitive fixtures for the first time since November 2019. With the next leg crucial for both teams, the stage is set for an intense showdown ahead.
