Turkey before the EM-off! Erdogan sees Wales deserved victory - despite Bale's embarrassing penalty

Wales beat Turkey and are about to make it into the second round of the European Championship.

The Turks have only a minimal chance of advancing.

Baku - Despite the support of thousands of fanatical fans, Turkey * is already facing the end after the next bitter setback at the European Football Championship *.

Milli Takim also lost the "home game" at the national stadium in Baku in front of the head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan 0-2 (0-1) against Wales *.

Before the final group game against Switzerland on Sunday, the round of 16 is a long way off.

Although the team of national coach Senol Günes has improved, after the completely botched opening game against Italy (0: 3) there was the next serious disappointment.

Aaron Ramsey (42nd) and Connor Roberts (90th + 5), on the other hand, fired the hopes of the Welsh supporters for the next surprise after 2016, when the Dragons stormed into the semifinals at their finals premiere.

Superstar Gareth Bale continued his terrifying goal doldrums - the captain shot a penalty well over the gate (61st) and continues to wait for his first goal in the national jersey since October 2019. Nevertheless, the British are now traveling to the duel with Italy with four points in their luggage .

EM: Wales stronger than Turkey - round of 16 within reach

The Turks, who were highly traded before the European Championship, but had fallen deep at the beginning, had promised reparations.

Captain Burak Yilmaz announced that the team would show "who we really are".

And the former Bundesliga professional Hakan Calhanoglu wanted to "put a smile on the face" of his compatriots.

In front of over 30,000 spectators - including many from Turkey and a number of locals who also kept their fingers crossed for the Turkish team - both teams started with their sights open.

To the delight of Erdogan, who demonstratively followed the game in the stands alongside Ilham Aliyev, the authoritarian ruler of the Turkish "brother state" Azerbaijan.

The Turks attacked further ahead than they did five days ago and acted more dangerous - also because of Kaan Ayhan and Cengiz Ünder, who had moved into the starting XI.

After the first completion of Yilmaz (9th), Ünder (13th), who enlivened the last harmless offensive, failed against Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward.

And Ayhan (29th) also reported after a corner with a header.

EM: Turkey loses for the second time despite spectators

The Welsh were by no means impressed by the improved Turkish team and the heated atmosphere in Baku.

Robert Page's team was partly more structured, only Ramsey (6th / 24th), next to Bale the second star in the team, awarded twice in front of Ugurcan Cakir.

Only after a great pass from Bale did he complete from close range.

With their backs to the wall, the memories of the EM 2008, when the team nevertheless reached the semifinals and the best EM placement so far after a botched start, in their heads and Yusuf Yazici as a fresh force, Turkey started the second round.

Calhanoglu (50th) and Yilmaz (54th) dropped warning shots.

In the pressure phase of the Turks, Bale, who had been knocked off his feet by Mehmet Zeki Celik, gave the big chance to make a decision - and gave the Günes-Elf again momentum for the final phase.

Led by Yilmaz, Turkey pushed their opponents into their own half, while Wales hardly provided any relief.

Ward saved in dire need with a header from Merih Demiral (87.).

(SID)