With their 3-0 victory today, Turkiye defeated Hungary 6-1 overall to earn a historic promotion to the UEFA Nations League A, which will allow them to play against the best teams in Europe in the upcoming cycle.

After missing the first leg of the UEFA Nations League promotion play-offs due to suspension, Arda Guler returned to the starting lineup against Hungary in the second match. The 20-year-old Madrid midfielder doubled Turkiye’s lead in the first half with a spectacular goal to celebrate his comeback.

Playing in the hole behind the striker today, the agile Turkish midfielder seemed on song. He participated in play, having the chance to enter the box late and engaging in brief conversations with other players. His desire to get on the ball was a plus, as he earned four fouls for his team thanks to his skill in confined spaces. He was also quite well-positioned between the lines.

He also won five of the six duels he fought in the game, demonstrating his consistency. He covered a lot of territory and got the ball back for his team a few times, demonstrating a strong defensive workrate. His contribution to the team’s advancement and creation of opportunities bodes well for Madrid as the season draws to a close.

Milan Inter Hakan Calhanoglu opened Turkiye’s account for the evening with a penalty kick, and in the 90th minute, Abdulkerim Bardakci extended the lead to three goals to complete the victory. Over the course of the two legs, Turkiye put on a really strong showing on both sides and prevented Hungary from ever regaining the game.