Turkey vs Belgium Player Ratings: Guler 9/10 as Doku and De Bruyne inspire comeback in 2-1 win

If you watched the game live at the Goztepe Gursel Aksel Stadı in Izmir, it felt more like a knockout game than a standard group match. Turkey national football team started with great energy and high pressure, using the loud home crowd to push forward. The team trusted Arda Guler to lead the attack, and his creativity kept Belgium under constant stress in the opening minutes.

For a good portion of the first half, this plan worked very well. Guler broke the deadlock by scoring a brilliant curling free-kick into the top corner, sending the stadium into a frenzy. However, the Belgium national football team stayed calm, absorbed the heavy pressure, and used their major tournament experience to stabilize the rhythm of the match.

As the game progressed, Belgium's tactical discipline and superior final-third decision-making turned the tide. Experienced stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere found crucial spaces to score quick goals. In the end, Belgium secured a 2-1 victory, proving that clinical efficiency is often the difference at the top level of the UEFA Nations League. Check out the Turkey vs Belgium player ratings.

Turkey National Football Team Player Ratings vs Belgium

Here are the Turkey national football team player ratings from the Turkey vs Belgium player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Uğurcan Çakır - 7: Çakır had a strange, demanding evening. He conceded twice, yet neither goal really felt like a clear goalkeeper error. His save on Diego Moreira at 30 minutes kept Türkiye alive during Belgium’s onslaught. Later stops from De Bruyne and De Ketelaere showed sharp reflexes and strong positioning. We noticed his communication looked steady, even when defenders seemed rattled. With 3 key saves and calm distribution, a solid 7 feels fair.

Defenders

Merih Demiral - 6: Demiral’s night was full of commitment but not always control. He gave away free kicks in awkward areas and was caught offside once when pushing forward. We noticed his aggression helped Türkiye step up, yet he struggled against Belgium’s quick combination play. Three clearances and some ball recoveries show he stayed busy defensively. However, being dribbled past multiple times hurt his impact.

Ozan Kabak - 5.5: Kabak’s performance really disappointed us, mainly due to timing and composure. The yellow card on 32 minutes symbolised his slightly reckless approach against Doku and De Ketelaere. He did rack up clearances and some strong aerial wins, which we can’t ignore. Yet that error leading to a shot and frequent fouls handed Belgium extra momentum. We noticed hesitations in his body language whenever Belgium overloaded his side. A mixed bag, but overall below the standard expected at this level.

Oğuz Aydın - 6: Nominally a defender here, Aydın had a very chaotic game. He won free kicks and put in last-man tackles, but committed a string of fouls that constantly stopped Türkiye’s rhythm. He looked emotionally charged, sometimes too much, lunging into challenges. Still, 10 ball recoveries and 3 clearances highlight real defensive work. His duels record was poor, though, and he struggled when isolated by Doku. We came away feeling his intent was good, execution inconsistent.

Ferdi Kadıoğlu - 5.5: Ferdi never quite found his usual dynamic flow down the flank. He conceded a corner under pressure and seemed wary of Belgium’s pace. We noticed his passing was safe, with many backward balls instead of progressive runs. Defensively, he was dribbled past and lost all his duels, which hurt the team. His few ventures forward produced limited threat, just a blocked shot and one cross. Overall, a subdued showing, reflecting Türkiye’s wider defensive frailty.

Midfielders

Orkun Kökçü - 5.5: Kökçü had some promising touches but never imposed himself on the game. His blocked shot at 26 minutes, after an Ünal assist, hinted at his threat from range. Yet he lost most of his duels and got dispossessed several times under Belgian pressure. We noticed he dropped deeper to help build, but that cost Türkiye a vertical punch. Passing accuracy was solid, but too many safe choices when space opened. His early substitution felt logical.

Arda Güler - 9: For us, Arda Güler was clearly the highest-rated player on the pitch. His free-kick goal on 20 minutes was simply outrageous, arrowing into the top corner. Beyond the goal, he created one big chance, hit all three shots on target, and ran the game’s tempo for Türkiye. We noticed his confidence never dipped, even at 1-2 down, constantly demanding the ball. Ten duels won, three tackles, and repeated free-kicks won showed huge work rate. He dragged Türkiye close to a comeback almost on his own. A man-of-the-match-level display despite defeat.

İsmail Yüksek - 7: Yüksek brought bite and structure to midfield before his substitution. His yellow card at 50 minutes summed up his combative style, sometimes too intense. Still, he made four tackles, all won, and contributed five ball recoveries. We noticed his passing was crisp, especially into the final third, twice setting up Çalhanoglu chances. He balanced aggression with smart positioning most of the time. He was one of Türkiye’s better performers, even if his discipline wavered.

Yunus Akgün - 7: Yunus quietly produced a very useful two-way performance on the flank. His passing accuracy was superb, and he rarely wasted the ball. We noticed his defensive tracking in the second half, with multiple tackles and recoveries. Going forward, he linked well with Arda and delivered crosses into dangerous zones. He did commit one foul and lost some duels, but the effort was undeniable. He was one of the more reliable outlets as Türkiye chased an equaliser.

Barış Alper Yılmaz - 5.5: This game will frustrate Barış when he watches it back. Caught offside twice and missing a big chance at 60 minutes, he just lacked that killer touch. We noticed his runs were energetic but not always smart, often drifting offside. In build-up, he offered limited link play, losing the ball several times. Defensively, he contributed a bit, yet never fully impacted the press. Subbed at 80 minutes, and honestly that felt inevitable.

Forwards

Enes Ünal - 6.5: Ünal’s performance had more subtle value than the stats might show. He dropped in cleverly, producing two key passes and assisting Kökçü’s blocked effort. We noticed he worked hard without the ball, offering pressing triggers and winning defensive free kicks. However, he struggled to hold up play under Belgian pressure. Losing aerial duels and possession several times limited his overall influence. A decent shift, but he needed more cutting edge before being replaced.

Substitutes

Deniz Gül - 6.5: Coming on for Ünal, Gül added energy and direct running. His late shot at 82 minutes, saved low after a nice move with Zeki Çelik, was a big moment. We noticed his willingness to attack space, something Türkiye lacked earlier. He did commit a foul and turned the ball over a couple of times. Still, his presence unsettled Belgium’s defence in the closing stages. He was a positive impact sub.

Hakan Çalhanoglu - 6.5: Hakan’s entrance changed the game’s feel in midfield. He took responsibility on set pieces and unleashed a few dangerous shots, one blocked and one narrowly wide. We noticed his body language, calm but urgent, trying to organise attacks. His link with Yüksek on second balls looked sharp. However, Belgium defended his deliveries fairly well and he couldn’t find the killer pass. Overall, he improved Türkiye’s structure but not the scoreline.

Zeki Çelik - 6.5: Zeki came on to stabilise the right side and push forward selectively. His assist-like involvement in Deniz Gül’s chance at 82 minutes stood out. Defensively, we noticed he chose his battles smarter than Aydın, committing fewer reckless fouls. He helped maintain width and recycled possession under pressure. With limited minutes, his impact was still noticeable. A respectable cameo.

Salih Özcan - 6: Özcan replaced Yüksek and tried to keep midfield balanced. He offered simple passes and positional discipline rather than big moments. We noticed his focus on screening De Ketelaere’s drops and Tielemans’ forward runs. However, he rarely broke lines or drove the ball forward. With Türkiye chasing a goal, that conservative style felt slightly limiting. Overall, fine defensively, modest attacking impact.

Can Uzun - 6: Uzun came on late for Barış and had limited time to shine. His movement between the lines looked promising, pulling defenders around. We noticed he tried to combine quickly with Arda, but Belgium stayed compact. He didn’t get a clear sight of goal, which was frustrating to watch. Still, his energy helped sustain pressure in the final minutes. Hard to rate higher without a decisive moment.

Manager

A. Yalçın - 6: Yalçın’s game plan started well but folded under Belgian quality. The high-intensity press and trust in Arda made sense early on. However, defensive adjustments after going 1-2 down were slow, and Kabak’s struggles persisted. His substitutions did add energy, especially Çalhanoglu and Gül, yet came slightly late. We noticed a mix of courage and caution that never fully settled. A learning night at this level of the UEFA Nations League.

Belgium Player Ratings vs Türkiye

Have a look at the Belgium national football team player ratings from the Turkey vs Belgium player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammens - 7.5: Lammens quietly produced a very impressive away performance. Conceding Arda’s sensational free-kick was almost unavoidable; such was the strike’s quality. Beyond that, he made several vital saves, including efforts from Güler, Barış, and Deniz Gül. We noticed his handling on crosses and high balls felt assured and calm. His distribution under Türkiye’s press was mostly reliable despite some possession losses. He was one of Belgium’s unsung heroes.

Defenders

Brandon Mechele - 6.5: Mechele had a mixed, gritty outing at the back. He made an error leading to a shot, which worried us for a moment. Yet he also blocked chances, won all his duels, and stayed brave in tackles. We noticed his positional discipline helped cover spaces behind Castagne. His passing out from the back was mostly clean, even under pressure. Overall, an imperfect but committed display.

Maxim De Cuyper - 8: De Cuyper was outstanding and very close to Arda in overall influence. His assist for De Ketelaere’s goal at 30 minutes showed superb timing and vision. Throughout the game he created four key passes and one big chance from the left. We noticed his confidence every time he stepped forward, rarely hesitating on crosses. Defensively, he held up well, winning duels and tracking runners diligently. For us, he was Belgium’s best outfield performer.

Nathan Ngoy - 6.5: Ngoy offered steady, unfussy defending in a difficult atmosphere. He won most of his duels and two aerial battles, giving Belgium solidity. We noticed his calm reaction whenever Türkiye tried long balls into his zone. His passing was tidy and progressive at times, without unnecessary risks. One foul and a few losses aside, he rarely looked troubled. A quietly effective centre-back display.

Timothy Castagne - 6.5: Castagne worked hard on the right and provided width going forward. His missed chance at 75 minutes, after Lukébakio’s pass, could have sealed the game. Defensively, we noticed he tracked Yunus and Barış diligently, rarely switching off. His passing accuracy was solid and he supported transitions well. A couple of turnovers and an off-target shot showed some rust. Overall, a decent, team-first performance.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne - 8: De Bruyne’s equaliser at 27 minutes completely flipped the momentum. His right-footed finish from the centre of the box was clinical and confident. We noticed how he drifted into pockets that Türkiye couldn’t track, constantly directing play. Four shots, with two on target, kept Çakır tested throughout the first half. His passing, while not flawless, remained sharp and purposeful under pressure.

Youri Tielemans - 7: Tielemans provided the glue in Belgium’s midfield. He broke up play, drew fouls, and used the ball intelligently. We noticed him constantly scanning, adjusting his position to disrupt Türkiye’s transitions. He won more duels than he lost, which mattered against Türkiye’s energetic midfield. His through ball and link-ups with De Bruyne added subtle creativity. A couple of fouls and turnovers aside, he was very important strategically.

Nicolas Raskin - 6.5: Raskin’s performance flew under the radar but had key moments. His tidy passing and occasional cross helped Belgium keep shape on the right. We noticed he sometimes struggled in duels, losing most of them, yet stayed committed. He contributed clearances and one accurate long ball that relieved pressure. Several fouls showed his willingness to disrupt Türkiye’s rhythm. Overall, a functional, workmanlike display.

Forwards

Jérémy Doku - 8: Doku’s performance genuinely stood out to us, almost as much as Güler’s. He assisted De Bruyne’s goal, constantly winning free kicks and tormenting defenders. Fourteen dribble attempts with seven successes show how relentlessly he attacked space. We noticed his body language, always wanting the ball, even after losing it. He drew six fouls, kept Türkiye pinned back, and created one big chance.

Charles De Ketelaere - 7.5: De Ketelaere’s goal at 30 minutes gave Belgium the eventual winner. His left-footed finish from close range showed composure in a crowded box. We noticed his movement between the lines dragging Kabak and Demiral out of shape. Though he lost several duels and was dispossessed, he always tried brave actions. Two shots on target and one big chance missed captured his high-risk style. Overall, he brought decisive final-third impact.

Diego Moreira - 7: Moreira started brightly, winning early free kicks on the right. His direct running and three shots forced Çakır into an important save. We noticed his willingness to drive inside, creating gaps for overlapping teammates. He did lose the ball at times, but kept Türkiye’s defence honest. His substitution on 69 minutes felt more about fresh legs than poor play. A lively, confident outing in a tough away fixture.

Substitutes

Dodi Lukébakio - 6.5: Lukébakio added pace and unpredictability after coming on for Moreira. His assist-like pass for Castagne’s chance at 75 minutes was well-timed. We noticed him pressing Türkiye’s back line aggressively, forcing hurried clearances. He committed a foul, but that came from hard defensive work tracking back. In possession, he looked sharp without overcomplicating things.

Leandro Trossard - 6.5: Trossard replaced De Bruyne, bringing control rather than chaos. He helped Belgium slow the tempo and maintain possession late on. We noticed his clever positioning between the lines, always showing for short passes. He conceded a corner under pressure but generally kept things tidy. His attacking impact was modest, with few direct chances created. Still, he supported game management effectively.

Hugo Cuypers - 6: Cuypers came on for De Ketelaere to lead the line. His main job seemed to be pressing and occupying centre-backs. We noticed his physical presence, backing into defenders and contesting aerials. However, he didn’t receive many clear chances to shoot. His impact was more defensive than attacking as Belgium protected the lead. A solid but unspectacular cameo.

Mika Godts - 6: Godts replaced Doku and had limited time to influence the match. He hugged the touchline, offering width as Türkiye pushed numbers forward. We noticed his calmness in possession, recycling the ball instead of forcing dribbles. Without big chances or shots, his contribution stayed subtle. Still, he helped Belgium see out pressure by keeping their shape.

Manager

M. van Bommel - 7.5: Van Bommel’s approach impressed us over the full 90 minutes. He allowed Doku and De Bruyne to attack aggressively while trusting his back line’s structure. The quick response after going 1-0 down spoke to a strong mentality and clear instructions. His substitutions, especially Trossard and Lukébakio, helped manage the game’s late phases. We noticed Belgium’s shape rarely broke, even under Türkiye’s waves of pressure. A well-executed plan that delivered a crucial Nations League away win.