2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying
Turkey 1-1 Scotland
Tuesday, 7 September 2021, kick-off 5pm (UK time)
Bursa Buyuksehir Stadium, Bursa, Turkey

Turkey: Enis Destan (75 mins)
Scotland: Glenn Middleton (9 mins)

In the European Under-21s Championship qualifying opener against Turkey, both sides fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw in Bursa.

Scotland started strongly, taking the lead through Glenn Middleton. After a Turkey equaliser, Scotland finished the game strongly with Rudden and Middleton both having chances late on but the Turkish goalkeeper was on hand to ensure the points were shared.

As it happened

Scotland flew out of the traps and looked confident early on in the game. After nine minutes they were 1-0 ahead when Glenn Middleton unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box. The Turkey goalkeeper palmed it away to Adam Montgomery and the Celtic winger was able to square it back to the St Johnstone midfielder who provided the finish.

Calvin Ramsay started the match following an impressive start to the season with Aberdeen and after 15 minutes he was on hand to prevent a certain goal, clearing a dangerous cross ball to the back post.

In a first half that Scotland dominated, it proved to be a feisty encounter with five yellow cards handed out.

At the break, Scotland deservedly led 1-0.

Turkey made a triple substitution at the break as they looked to change the tide of the match and exert their influence. They began brightly but were unable to really test Ross Sinclair.

After 66 minutes Gokdeniz Bayrakdar had the ball in the back of the net for Turkey following a great ball but fortunately for Scotland he was adjudged to be marginally offside.

Josh Doig made his Scotland debut for the 21s and looked at home on that stage. Fellow Hibee James Scott also began the game and had a golden chance but was unable to hit the net.

With 15 minutes to go Ross Sinclair was called into action saving a header well, pushing it out for a corner. From the resultant set piece, the ball dropped in the box for Enis Destan and he steered the ball agonisingly into the corner of the net.

As the game was nearing a close Zak Rudden went close for Scotland, running clean through on goal but the goalkeeper was able to make the stop from close range. He then had another opportunity when he tried to dink the ball over Destanoglu and the Turkish goalkeeper was able to make the save. From the resultant attack Glenn Middleton had an opportunity but once again the goalkeeper was able to foil the St Johnstone midfielder.

Next up

Scotland are back in action on Friday, 8 October against the top seed Denmark who won their opening group game against Kazakhstan 1-0.


Turkey: Destanoglu, Balci, Can Essendemir, Tagir, Elmali, Kaan Guneren, Gunes (Captain), Bayrakdar (Kor, 76), Faruk Beyaz (Akgun, 46), Alper Yilmaz (Eyibil, 46), Akman (Destan, 46).

Unused substitutes: Taha Tepe, Ozkacar, Destan, Eyibil, Gunduz, Gumuska, Haspolat

Scotland: Sinclair, Ramsay, Welsh (Captain), Mayo, Doig, Williamson, Kelly, Kennedy (Rudden, 63), Montgomery (Mackay, 71), Middleton (Captain), Scott (Anderson, 76).

Unused substitutes: Budinauckas, Stone, Urain, Murray, Hamilton, Campbell