Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group E - Turkey v Bulgaria - Bursa Ataturk Stadium, Bursa, Turkey - November 15, 2025 Turkey's Arda Guler in action with Bulgaria's Zdravko Dimitrov REUTERS/Umit Bektas
ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey beat Bulgaria 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday to confirm second place in Group E and a spot in the playoffs for next year's finals.
Captain Hakan Calhanoglu put Turkey ahead in the 18th minute from the penalty spot after a handball. The hosts doubled their lead in the 83rd minute when Bulgarian defender Chernev turned the ball into his own net attempting to clear a low cross.
Turkey dominated possession and territory, and rarely looked troubled by Bulgaria who remained bottom of the group without a point.
Turkey moved to 12 points from five matches, keeping them in second place three points behind leaders Spain who they play in their final qualifier on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay, editing by Ed Osmond)
