Hungary 0-3 (1-6) Türkiye Player Ratings: Complete performance sees Turks go through with ease

A quickfire double in the first half followed by a late goal in the second half saw Türkiye emerge comfortable 3-0 winners against Hungary in the UEFA Nations League playoffs 2nd leg.

The hosts opted to play with a back three with their need to get a positive result from this game being imperative. Türkiye, on the other hand, opted to go for a more conservative 4-2-3-1 as they had a two-goal cushion and wanted to keep away from conceding an early goal.

Hungary started the game with more urgency as they had the first real opportunity of the game as early as the 4th minute. Dániel Gazdag unleashed a promising low ball into the Turkish penalty area that found Varga in space. However, the striker did not see the ball coming to him and his fortuitous poke rolled wide off target.

Hungary tried every ploy in the book to disrupt the rhythm of their opponents. They resorted to a rather physical style of play, aiming to unsettle the Turkish defense with their physicality. They tried to go long, and they tried the intricate way as well. But despite all their efforts, the Turks stood strong and withstood all that the Hungarians threw at them.

The middle period of the first half saw Hungary commit some snarky fouls that in all fairness did not do much for the Turks as they did not mind the time being elapsed in those moments. A similar foul saw Attila Fiola see yellow for his needless physical bunt.

The next 5 minutes saw Hungary get two golden opportunities to take the lead. The first chance saw Dominik Szoboszlai put in a lovely ball to Bendegúz Bolla, who found acres of space on the right. But he was thwarted by an excellent block by Elmali just when he was about to pull the trigger. The second chance saw Dániel Gazdag race through on goal, but his shot was superbly saved by Turkish keeper Uğurcan Çakır, who made himself big and got a strong right hand on his effort. Hungary also saw Szoboszlai’s freekick hit the underside of the crossbar.

While the Turks had to wait until the 35th minute to register their first shot of the game, they did not have to wait long after to get their goal. A rather needless lunge by Fiola on Ismail Yüksek did not see the referee think twice before giving the penalty. Çalhanoğlu made absolutely no mistake as he sent the keeper the other way to open the scoring.

Less than 2 minutes later, a sweeping move from the left saw Oguz Aydin put in a sharp cutback in the box, and Arda Guler made no mistake, his first-time effort beating the keeper to double the lead, and more or less ending Hungary’s hopes of overturning the deficit. From thereon, the half ended with Türkiye in the ascendancy and Hungary just about trying to stay in the contest.

The second half was more of the same, with Hungary trying to score and the Turks keeping them at bay. And to add gloss to the scoreline, Bardakcı scored towards the end to make it a comprehensive victory and complete a good day’s work for Turkiye.

Here are the Hungary vs Türkiye Player Ratings.

Hungary Player Ratings

GK- Dénes Dibusz- 5/10

The Hungarian keeper could do nothing about either goal he conceded. Made one save in the game and that’s just about it.

RCB- Attila Fiola- 4/10

Was arguably the poorest player on the pitch for his side. He first conceded a needless yellow and then gave away a rather clumsy penalty with a reckless lunge. Was just not able to cope with the speed of the Turkish players and was hooked at half-time.

CB- Willi Orbán- 5/10

Started the game quite positively with a couple of through balls in dangerous areas. Slowed down as the game wore on and picked up a yellow card to complete his evening.

LCB- Márton Dárdai- 5/10

Could do much better for the second goal that they conceded as he afforded a bit too much space for the shot. Got booked early in the second half.

RWB- Bendegúz Bolla- 5.5/10

Had a decent game overall. A couple of good crosses and a shot off-target and was decent in defense as well

CM- Bálint Vécsei- 4.5/10

Was overrun by the Turkish midfield time and time again. Labored as long as the game went on

CM- Dániel Gazdag- 6/10

Was lively in the first half in attack. Should have had the opening goal on two occasions but saw his shots blocked and brilliantly saved. Also, put in a great cross for Varga towards the latter stages of the first half.

LWB- Miloš Kerkez- 4.5/10

A very inept performance from the Bournemouth man where he offered next to nothing in terms of attacking output. A couple of snarky fouls did not help his cause either.

RF- Dominik Szoboszlai- 6/10

The Hungarian skipper was the beacon of light for his teammates. Everything in the attack came through him. Inviting crosses, crisp through balls, and finding players in space. He also had a free kick rattle the crossbar. Unfortunately, he did not have the help he so desperately needed from his teammates.

ST- Barnabás Varga- 5/10

The veteran striker could not find his shooting boots as a couple of opportunities he had went off target. A foul throw and a yellow card that reeked of frustration completed his miserable evening for him

LF- Bence Dárdai- 5/10

Did a =n alright job overall, but was not good enough for a side chasing the game. Was hooked at half-time.

Sub- Tamás Nikitscher- 5/10

Was a decent presence in the middle. Kept spraying passes and also won his share of aerial duels.

Sub- Loïc Nego- 5/10

Had a thumping volley sharply saved by the keeper. Was combative and strong on defense

Sub- Alex Toth- 5/10

Tried to make an impact but was well-shackled by the Turks. Completed all of his attempted passes

Sub- Attila Szalai- 4.5/10

Was brought on as damage control. Was out of place for the 3rd goal.

Sub- Kevin Csoboth- 5.5/10

Was the liveliest of the subs. Thought he had won a penalty but was chalked off because he was offside. Tried to make things happen, but it was too late by then.

Manager- Marco Rossi- 5/10

Was not able to inspire his team to overturn the deficit. His brooding presence on the touchline did not help matters either.

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Türkiye Player Ratings

GK- Uğurcan Çakır- 7/10

Had only two saves to make, but both of them were very good. Had very little to do otherwise but did it well.

RB- Eren Elmali- 7/10

A heroic block and an overall accomplished defensive showing. Was immense in the heart of defense and stopped everything and anything that came in the box

CB- Abdülkerim Bardakcı- 7/10

A thumping header to score his side’s 3rd goal was just a reward for a brilliant performance from the first minute. Led the backline exceedingly well and thwarted any danger right at its source.

CB- Samet Akaydin- 6/10

Complemented his defensive partner well as they successfully kept their clean sheet intact. Made 7 clearances and won his aerial duels.

LB- Mert Müldür- 6/10

Was a constant outlet from the left with his reliable presence and ability to keep the ball moving. Had a very well-rounded defensive performance on all levels.

CDM- Hakan Çalhanoğlu- 7.5/10

Was the fulcrum of this side with his deep-lying playmaking role. Constantly dictated the play with his long balls. A coolly dispatched penalty to open the scoring capped a wonderful performance.

CDM- İsmail Yüksek- 6.5/10

Won the penalty that led to the first goal. Did a decent job in possession whenever he had the ball

RW- Oğuz Aydın- 7.5/10

Was a consistent thorn in the side for the Hungary defense whenever he had the ball. Gave the assist for the second goal with a sharp cutback, and had a couple of shots blocked as well.

CAM- Arda Güler- 7.5/10

A wonderfully taken second goal and an accomplished performance from the young Real Madrid star as he continues to increase his reputation n the international stage.

LW- Kenan Yildiz- 6/10

Did not have much of an impact as expected but did well whenever was called into action. Was subbed late in the second half.

ST- Kerem Aktürkoğlu- 7/10

Was the catalyst for 2 out of the 3 goals with his running and his quick passing. Had a curling effort whistle just off target.

Sub- Salih Özcan- 6/10

Kept the ball moving with his passes. Completed his lone dribble and made a couple of interceptions.

Sub- Barış Alper Yılmaz- 6/10

Was brought in to keep the clean sheet intact. Provided the assist for the third goal with a lovely cross from the byline.

Sub- Irfan Can Kahveci- 5/10

Was brought in to shore up the defense. Did the job that he was sent for.

Sub- Deniz Gül- 5/10

A late sub. Too little time to make an impact.

Sub- Yusuf Akçiçek- 5/10

A late sub. Too little time to make an impact.

Manager- Vincenzo Montella- 7.5/10

The Italian selected a pragmatic team to keep the lead intact. Should be proud of his team’s attacking intent as they put the score beyond doubt.

Sportsdunia Player of the match goes to Hakan Çalhanoğlu.

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