Turkey U21 secures play-off spot after 2-2 draw with Ukraine

The Turkey U21 national football team has secured a place in the play-off round of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. Following a 2-2 draw against Ukraine in Group H, the team has guaranteed a second-place finish in the group.

The match, held at the DVTK Stadium in Miskolc, Hungary, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, saw Turkey take an early 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Emirhan İlkhan in the 12th minute and Ali Habeşoğlu in the 33rd minute. However, Ukraine responded in the second half, with Danylo Krevsun scoring in the 47th minute and Maksym Melnychenko equalizing in the 82nd minute.

With 12 points from seven matches, Turkey will now face a play-off match in November to compete for a spot in the final tournament. Croatia has already secured direct qualification as the group leader. Turkey's final group match is scheduled for October 6 in Istanbul against Hungary.