Euro 2024 qualifiers are back in the air, and the situation in each group is becoming clearer. Compared with the rookies pecking at each other like Latvia and Armenia, what everyone is most concerned about is definitely the battle for the top spot in each group. On the first matchday of this round, the most notable match was definitely Spain vs Scotland. Although Scotland is the big dark horse in this European preliminary, they also won Spain in the first round, and after all, there is a gap in the strength of the two sides, and it is a little difficult for them to expect Scotland to take Spain down again. The 2-0 score was measured, as Spain lost 2-0 to Scotland in the first leg. This revenge is very calm.
Of course, Spain has one game to play, and Scotland are currently at the top of Group A. In fact, Scotland's performance in this World Qualifier is good enough, after all, they are a second-tier team in Europe, and to be able to squeeze Spain behind in the group is enough to prove that they have improved rapidly over the years. However, against Spain away, Scotland still can't break through their own strength bottleneck, and if they can take one point, it will be even more impressive.
The reason for this is because in this round, there is really a team of similar strength to Scotland that has done what Scotland cannot accomplish away - defeating a team that is stronger than itself and getting 3 points.
That team is Turkey.
I really didn't expect that Turkey could beat Croatia on the road. Although Croatia is indeed a bit bigger, Turkey's fierce fight and sharp counter-attack are enough to support them to create this miracle on the road. Does Ilmaz's powerful and dexterous shot remind everyone of the classic long-range shot scored by Borussia Dortmund's Riken against Juventus in the Champions League final in '96-97?
Croatia are not a top team, but their strength advantage over Turkey may be similar to Juventus' strength advantage over Borussia Dortmund. In this game, Turkey played very calmly, resolutely, and even had a certain amount of luck, and the last penalty that was almost awarded was finally canceled by VR. Perhaps, this is a gift and reward for Turkey, which has performed well.
This 1:0 actually unlocks a new change in Turkey.
What is your first impression when it comes to Turkey? Home of terror? Right. Whether it's the Turkish national team, Galatasaray or Fenerbahce, their home atmosphere is simply too strong to make the away team timid before a fight. Turkey has beaten many strong teams with its multi-layered bonus at home. But what matches the home dragon is likely to be the away worm. In many matches, Turkey have performed very badly away from home. To give a typical example, in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Turkey beat the Netherlands 4:2 at home, which was shocking. But on the road, they were beaten 6-1 by each other. We can't help but ask, are Turkey in these two matches really the same team?
Over the years, the home stadium is a brave man, and the away game has become a coward, which has become the personality and temperament of the Turkish team. Once Turkey play a tough away game and play a strong team, we always don't have much hope. But this 1:0 does give us a sense of change in Turkey.
At present, Turkey has reached the top of the group and promotion is in sight. The 2024 European Championship, this European powerhouse, may bring more surprises.