Belgium recovered from a goal down to beat Türkiye 2–1 in Izmir on Thursday, 12 November 2026, in UEFA Nations League A, Group 1. The Turkish federation's match report, published that day, confirms a finished game at Gürsel Aksel Stadium, with Arda Güler, Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere on the scoresheet.
Three goals in a ten-minute spell
Güler put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute. De Bruyne equalised in the 27th, before De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the 30th. ESPN's completed match record records the same sequence. All three goals therefore arrived before the interval, and neither side added another during the second half.
The match statistics show why possession alone does not explain the outcome. Türkiye had 53.2% of the ball and seven shots on target, compared with Belgium's 46.8% and six. Belgium nevertheless scored twice from 12 total attempts; Türkiye scored once from ten.
Belgium remain one point behind the leading pair
The federation's updated Group 1 table lists Italy and France on ten points each, Belgium on nine and Türkiye on zero after five matches. Belgium consequently stayed within one point of both teams above them. The victory should not be confused with a final group position while another matchday remains.
UEFA's official calendar schedules Belgium against Italy and France against Türkiye on 15 November. Belgium's next task is therefore a direct meeting with one of the teams they are chasing, after a recovery in Izmir secured the full three points.
Charles De Ketelaere with Belgium against the United States on 28 March 2026; archival, not from the Türkiye match. Image credit: Bryan Berlin — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0.
