Türkiye Run Riot in Sofia: Yıldız Double Inspires Six-Goal Rout Over Bulgaria in World Cup Qualifying

SOFIA — On a chilly Sofia evening that was expected to pose questions of Türkiye’s resilience, Vincenzo Montella’s side provided answers in emphatic fashion, throttling Bulgaria 6-1 at Stadion Vasil Levski and reasserting their credentials in UEFA’s World Cup qualification race.

With both nations seeking redemption after heavy September defeats, it was Türkiye who seized initiative—and then never relinquished their grip, turning a once-promising Group Stage encounter into a devastating exhibition of pace and precision.

A Sudden Storm: Türkiye Surge, Bulgaria Falter

It required just 11 minutes for Türkiye to pierce Bulgaria’s fragile resolve. Arda Güler, the Real Madrid starlet whose deft touch belies his years, opened the scoring with a composed finish after slicing through Bulgaria’s defensive line—his marker left rooted as Güler dispatched his shot with clinical intent.

For a brief, flickering moment, Bulgaria offered hope to the home faithful. Radoslav Kirilov equalized just two minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball in the area to level the match and send Stadion Vasil Levski into hopeful celebration.

But parity was fleeting. Where Bulgaria’s attacks fizzled, Türkiye’s gained momentum. Every counter carried menace; every touch, purpose.

The Turning Point: Yıldız Takes Center Stage

After halftime, Türkiye’s attack erupted with the kind of confidence found only in sides with something to prove. Kenan Yıldız struck twice in the space of five minutes—first in the 51st, then again in the 56th. His opener came via a sweeping move orchestrated by Güler, slicing open Bulgaria’s back line and allowing Yıldız to slot home. The second, an individual effort laden with composure, left Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov grasping at thin air.

As the hour mark approached, the contest ceased to be a contest. Zeki Çelik added a fourth for Türkiye in the 65th minute, capping another fluid attacking move, while Bulgaria’s midfield slumped visibly—chasing shadows, bereft of answers.

Türkiye’s depth and determination were never more evident than in the dying moments. As stoppage time beckoned, substitute İrfan Can Kahveci delivered the finishing blow, curling in a sixth to banish any doubt and cap a statement performance for the visitors.

Context: Redemption and Regression on the Road to 2026

For Bulgaria, the floodgates are now wide open. After defeats to Georgia (0-3) and Spain (0-3) last month, Saturday’s collapse at home is their third consecutive qualifying loss by a margin of at least three goals. The goal from Kirilov—while a rare bright spot—was scant consolation for a back line that has now shipped over a dozen goals in three matches, leaving Bulgaria bottom of Group B with zero points and a -9 goal differential.

For Türkiye, today’s rout banishes the ghosts of their recent 0-6 humiliation at the hands of Spain and propels them back into the thick of the qualification chase. With two wins from three, they now sit level with Georgia on points—but boast a newfound attacking verve and a goal difference dramatically improved by tonight’s haul.

Head-to-Head: Old Patterns Persist

History foreshadowed today’s outcome. Türkiye’s record over Bulgaria in competitive fixtures has long tilted eastward, the most recent memory a goalless friendly in 2022 that belied the visitors’ fluidity on the ball. This time, however, the gulf in quality was laid bare by repeated Turkish surges and Bulgarian errors in possession.

What’s Next: Stakes and Scrutiny

Türkiye’s emphatic response means qualification remains very much in their hands. With a revitalized attack—Yıldız’s brace and Güler’s orchestration offering genuine hope—Montella’s men now look ahead to a crucial home tie against Georgia, where a win could all but secure a playoff berth should Spain maintain their undefeated march.

For Bulgaria, the path is narrower than ever. Head coach Mladen Krstajić must now find answers to stem the bleeding, with their next fixture against Spain a daunting prospect and local media poised for scrutiny. Should the spiral continue, Bulgaria risk a hasty exit from World Cup contention, prolonging a qualification drought that stretches back to 1998.

At Stadion Vasil Levski, the long walk for Bulgaria’s players was accompanied by resigned applause and the growing sound of concern. For Türkiye, however, the final whistle was a roar—a declaration that the race for 2026 is very much alive, and this team may yet have a center stage role to play.