Dominik Szoboszlai and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler were caught up in a verbal war of words that ended up extending past the pitch on Sunday evening.
Turkey secured promotion to UEFA Nations League A last night with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hungary at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna.
The win, which sealed a 6-1 aggregate triumph in the relegation playoff, was overshadowed by a fiery on-field exchange between Güler and Liverpool’s No.8, sparking widespread social media debate.
Turkey entered the second leg with a 3-1 advantage from the first encounter but left no room for complacency.
Vincenzo Montella’s side delivered a performance blending defensive discipline and attacking flair, neutralizing Hungary’s threats while capitalizing on transitional opportunities.
Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu opened the scoring in the 37th minute, converting a penalty after a handball decision against Hungary’s Milos Kerke. Just two minutes later, Arda Güler doubled the lead with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Dominik Szoboszlai vs Turkey Stat
Total Shots 2
Shots on Target 0/2 (0%)
Hit Woodwork 1
Touches in Opposition Box 0
Successful Dribbles 1/3 (33%)
Passes into Final Third 5
Accurate Crosses 0/1 (0%)
Accurate Long Balls 5/6 (83%)
Tackles Won 1/2 (50%)
Clearances 1
Headed Clearance 1
Interceptions 2
Defensive Actions 8
Hungary, led by captain Szoboszlai, struggled to break down Turkey’s compact defensive structure. Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır made critical saves, including a 57th-minute stop against Bendegúz Bolla, to preserve the clean sheet.
The match was sealed in stoppage time when defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı headed home a cross from Barış Alper Yılmaz, capping a night of Turkish dominance/
The match’s defining subplot emerged in the 39th minute when Güler, after scoring Turkey’s second goal, turned to Szoboszlai and placed a finger to his lips in a “shush” gesture.
The act reignited a rivalry dating back to a heated friendly in March 2024, where the pair clashed physically as well as earlier in the match when the pair had some back and forth already.
Post-match, Szoboszlai stoked tensions further by commenting “1088” on a social media post by Hungarian outlet Nemezti Sport, depicting the incident—a reference to Güler’s limited 1,088 minutes played for Real Madrid this season.
Meanwhile the outlet themselves gave Szoboszlai a 5/10 for his showing and wrote:
“He fought for a corner with a huge sprint, from which he put himself in a shooting position with a good trick, unfortunately the finish was not successful in the 16th minute, then he laughed at Arda Güler, who warned him to be quiet.”
“In the 27th minute, after a great interplay, he started Bendegúz Bolla, two minutes later he was pulled back for a yellow, and at his free kick the ball touched the bar. He had responsibility in the second Turkish goal, losing the ball and stepping out of the way of Arda Güler at the moment of crossing.”
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