7 most memorable World Cup playoff ties

#5 Turkey vs. Switzerland, 2006 World Cup qualifiers

This play-off not only became heated and incredibly exciting on the pitch, it also got pretty crazy off it with one player even ending up hospitalised. In the end – after a nail-biting second leg – it was Switzerland that came out on top, heading to the World Cup in Germany via the away goals rule after the tie ended all square at 4-4.

The first leg in Berne was a business-like win for the Swiss, who scored towards the end of both halves to take a 2-0 lead with them to the second leg in the infamous Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul. And it seemed like the Swiss would walk through the second leg too when Alexander Frei netted a penalty in the second minute.

They hadn’t counted on Turkish spirit, though, and two goals from Tuncay Sanli in the first half and an early second-half penalty from Necati Ates brought the Turks back into the game. Marco Streller then scored in the 84th minute to seemingly put the tie beyond Turkey, but another goal from Tuncay – sealing his hat-trick – went in on 89 minutes to set up a nail-biting finale.

Switzerland held on to win the tie, but post-game all hell broke loose – players from both teams were seen brawling in the tunnel after Swiss midfielder Beni Huggel and Turkish defender Alpay aimed kicks at members from the opposite team. The melee ended with Swiss substitute Stephane Grichting admitted to hospital, and FIFA having to investigate the incident. It was a stark reminder of how much the World Cup means to international sides.