Akaydin gives Turkey 1-0 lead against the Netherlands at halftime in Euro 2024 quarterfinal
Samet Akaydin’s header was enough to give Turkey a 1-0 halftime lead over the Netherlands in their European Championship quarterfinal on Saturday.
Akaydin rewarded a period of Turkish pressure by scoring in the 35th minute. Arda Guler delivered a butter-soft cross for the defender to head in off the underside of the crossbar.
It set off wild celebrations among Turkey’s coaching staff and fans. Guler was swamped in the coaching area with hugs, while fans in the west end of the stadium set off flares. Most stayed standing after the goal.
The Dutch pushed for an equalizer before the break to a chorus of whistles.
Turkey was without defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two matches by UEFA for making a nationalistic hand gesture after scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Austria. The gesture is used by Turkish nationalists and associated with an ultra-nationalist group.
