WC Qualifiers: Turkey 4-2 Netherlands

#3. Burak Yilmaz was the star performer

Burak Yilmaz rejoices after scoring a goal

Burak Yilmaz scored a brilliant hat-trick to steal the show against the Netherlands. He became the first player to score a hat-trick against the Dutch national team since 1980.

The Turk had Daley Blind gasping for breath. He came out on top of the Dutch back line every time, winning each challenge. Yilmaz won 8 duels last night. His sublime free-kick to beat Krul was just the icing on the cake.

#2. Netherlands looked clueless from defense to attack

Memphis Depay (R) looked dejected after the final whistle

The Dutch national team looked lethargic at the back. Blind looked sluggish throughout. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt was unlucky to have the first goal deflected off him.

In midfield and attack, the visitors looked lost for ideas. They failed to speed up the process of transitioning and waited until too many Turkish bodies had the time to get back and re-position themselves. The Netherlands lacked the desire, creativity and the energy to see out the hosts.

#1. Ugarcan Cakir was the savior for the hosts

Ugargan Cakir was Turkey's savior of the night

Although Ugarcan Cakir conceded twice against the Dutch national team, he had a brilliant game. The 24-year-old could also be blamed for one of the goals his side conceded, but he made up for all that with his heroics in the dying minutes of the game.

Cakir made some brilliant saves in stoppage time to deny the visitors. He brilliantly saved a penalty from Memphis Depay late into stoppage time as well. Moreover, he made another great stop to rebuff Depay in the closing stages of the game.

About the author

Samyak is a European and international football journalist at Sportskeeda, who focuses on writing a variety of listicles. A post-graduate in Finance with over 6 years of total work experience, Samyak became interested in football after watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup and some high-octane El Clasico clashes. His favorite footballer is Cristiano Ronaldo for the forward's mentality, and his favorite managers are Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Pep Guardiola for the brand of football their teams showcase.

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Zinedine Zidane's Panenka penalty in the 2006 final is Samyak’s favorite World Cup moment owing to the Frenchman’s sheer nerves of steel showcased, and thinks Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are ready to usher in a new era post-Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. During his free time, Samyak follows Real Madrid, plays football and reads finance articles.

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Edited by Rohit Mishra