World Cup playoffs: Türkiye secures victory to advance towards qualification

Türkiye secured a 1-0 victory over Romania and will compete against either Slovakia or Kosovo for a chance to qualify for its first World Cup since finishing third in 2002.

The Turkish side took the lead shortly after halftime when Ferdi Kadioglu was positioned in front of the net following a long, precise pass from Arda Güler, a 21-year-old winger for Real Madrid who has the potential to be one of the younger stars of the World Cup.

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Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship.

Romania’s exit signifies that 80-year-old Mircea Lucescu will not have the opportunity to coach at the World Cup for the first time. Lucescu led Romania as captain during the 1970 World Cup.

Nicolae Stanciu struck the post for Romania in the second half.

Four-time champion Italy will host Northern Ireland in the key semifinal of the World Cup playoffs in Europe later on Thursday.

The Azzurri face pressure to avoid missing out on qualifying for soccer’s premier event for a third consecutive time after being eliminated by Sweden in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022.

A total of 16 teams are vying for four spots at the World Cup in North America.

Eight single-match semifinals will be followed by four finals next week. The winners of these finals will secure their qualification.

Path A: Italy vs. Northern Ireland, Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Path B: Ukraine vs. Sweden, Poland vs. Albania.

Path C: Türkiye vs. Slovakia vs. Kosovo.

Path D: Denmark vs. North Macedonia, Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland

The Associated Press contributed to this report.