Guler and Kadioglu team up to guide Turkey past Romania into play-off final

Romania, managed by Mircea Lucescu, had gone a full year without an away victory (one draw and two defeats), yet they understood that beating the home team Turkey was crucial for reaching the European play-off final.

The visitors faced an even steeper challenge, as the atmosphere at Tupras Stadium turned hostile, with the enthusiastic local supporters jeering and whistling at every ball contact. Turkey held most of the possession during the initial phase and attacked with composure, thanks to Ferdi Kadıoğlus vigorous runs along the left side, even if no real opportunities emerged.

On the counter, Ianis Hagis mishit spoiled a decent shooting opportunity, soon after Vlad Dragomir hit the crossbars underside from near range, but the linesmans flag signalled offside in the sequence leading up.

Turkey had scored seven out of their previous eight goals before the 60-minute mark, but at the halfway point, the score stood level. Still, the hosts held the upper hand, and their clearest moment before the break came when Kenan Yildiz stole possession in an advanced area and drove forward into the penalty area, laying it off for Arda Güler, whose curling volley flew over the target.

The same rhythm continued post-interval, though Romania managed to resist only until the 53rd minute. A precise lofted pass from Güler exposed the Romanian backline, timing perfectly with Kadıoğlus surge, allowing him to calmly fire the ball between Ionut Radus legs. The away team pressed hard for an equaliser, but Turkey appeared more threatening, as Yildiz curled a powerful strike against the crossbar.

Romania held onto hope from their run of scoring in eight consecutive away fixtures, and following Gülers attempt that rebounded off the crossbar at the other goal, frustration mounted when Valentin Mihăilăs effort struck the posts interior, though ruled offside.

This turned out to be the nearest Romanians effort under Lucescu, ending their campaign unsuccessfully once more. The outcome spells the finish for Romania, extending their 28-year absence from the World Cup by at least four more years. For Turkey, this marks their eighth triumph in 11 home games (two draws, one loss), advancing them to a decisive away clash against either Slovakia or Kosovo, where victory would mean a third World Cup finals berth.