Türkiye crash out, Güler apologises to the nation

Out after two games, Güler apologises

Your team is out. Türkiye 0–2 Australia, then Türkiye 0–1 Paraguay, and the World Cup group stage is already over (1). Arda Güler did not hide from it afterward: "We are really, really sad. It is shameful. We apologise to our people. We are crying in the dressing room. We must do everything to make up for this" (1). Montella stays, federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu has publicly backed the coach. The final match against the USA is a dead rubber, a chance to rotate the squad.

A bizarre rule could make it worse

This is cruel. Group D is not mathematically finished, but because Paraguay beat you head-to-head, even a better goal difference may not lift Türkiye off the bottom (1). If Australia and Paraguay both lose their final matches while you beat the USA, three teams would sit on three points, and the tiebreakers favour the teams who beat you. Bottom of the group on a technicality is on the table.

The striker problem

Two games, zero goals. The old question is back: where is Türkiye's number nine? Turkish media are already listing young forward options after the early exit, asking whether converting a winger or attacking midfielder into a striker is the only path forward (2). No obvious solution exists in the current squad.

Leipzig want Oulai for up to €50m

One Turkish-based player is attracting massive interest. RB Leipzig are pursuing Trabzonspor's Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Oulai, with reports suggesting a fee up to €50 million (3). That would be a Leipzig record. Xavi Simons, Xaver Schlager, and Sergi Altimira are also on their radar, but Oulai is the name turning heads after his World Cup performances.