Belgium 3-0 Turkey: De Bruyne Brace Fires Red Devils to Nations League Win
Belgium 3-0 Turkey
UEFA Nations League, League A Group 1
Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège
Friday 2 October 2026
Kevin De Bruyne produced a masterclass of pure quality as Belgium brushed aside Turkey 3-0 to keep the pressure on France at the top of Group A1.
The Napoli midfielder, still operating at the highest level at 35, scored two outstanding goals either side of half-time before substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed a convincing victory for Mark van Bommel’s side.
De Bruyne opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a trademark piece of brilliance. He exchanged passes with Dodi Lukebakio, nutmegged Abdulkerim Bardakci on the edge of the area and drilled a low finish into the bottom corner past Uğurcan Çakır.
Belgium should have been further ahead before the break. Lukebakio struck the woodwork with a powerful effort that Çakır pushed onto the post, while at the other end Merih Demiral somehow fired over from close range after a low cross from Zeki Çelik.
Turkey, already without a point from their opening two matches under Vincenzo Montella, continued to threaten after the interval. Arda Güler caused problems with his quick feet and Yunus Akgün forced a sharp save from Senne Lammens.
But De Bruyne settled any nerves just before the hour. After Youri Tielemans regained possession outside the box, the playmaker took a touch and curled a sumptuous strike into the top corner – the kind of goal that has defined his career.
Van Bommel then introduced Lukaku, and Belgium’s all-time leading scorer made an immediate impact. In the 76th minute Charles De Ketelaere delivered a low cross from the right and Lukaku turned it home from close range to complete the scoring.
Turkey pressed late on but Lammens and the Belgian defence held firm for a clean sheet. The result leaves Belgium second in the group on six points, one behind France, who drew 1-1 with Italy earlier in the evening. Turkey remain bottom with zero points from three games.
De Bruyne, who reached 200 career goals with his first strike of the night, said afterwards: “I try to lead by example for the younger players, and they follow easily. I feel I can still contribute. I am enjoying myself, and that is the main thing.”
Belgium: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Vanaken (Lavia 61), De Bruyne (Openda 82); Lukebakio (Lukaku 61), De Ketelaere (Fofana 82), Godts (Trossard 74).
Goals: De Bruyne 10, 59; Lukaku 76.
Turkey: Çakır; Çelik, Demiral, Bardakci; Yüksek (Tiknaz 85), Elmaz (Özcan 73), Aktürkoğlu (Gül 67), Kadıoğlu; Güler, Yılmaz (Akgün 46), Aydın (Fakili 66).
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)
A clinical performance from the Red Devils and another reminder that De Bruyne remains one of European football’s true artists.
