Turkey draw Iceland 0-0, bag EURO 2020 ticket

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

Turkish national football team advanced to the UEFA EURO 2020 finals after goalless tie against Iceland on Nov. 14 evening in Group H qualifying match.

The match in Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex saw expectant Turkish fans flocking to the Türk Telekom Stadium.

In the first half, striker Burak Yılmaz's header was a great chance for Turkey but it went over the crossbar.

In the 82nd minute of the game, Iceland were close to break the deadlock in Istanbul as Turkish defender Merih Demiral cleared the ball from the goal line.

Turkey hit the crossbar near the end of the game as Lille midfielder Yusuf Yazıcı's long-range cross almost found the net.

Iceland took risks to score the winning goal, but Turkey defended well to secure the 0-0 tie, missing some counter-attack chances.

Turkey players and fans at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex were jubilant after the final whistle.

The Group H leaders Turkey had 20 points in nine matches.

France earned 19 points in eight games in this group but they will take on Moldova at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

Following the draw Iceland had 16 to come third.

Iceland will have to wait for the playoffs to be in EURO 2020.

Top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the EURO 2020.

The other teams in the group, Albania, Andorra and Moldova have been eliminated.

The qualification will mark Turkey's fifth spell at Euro finals, as they have previously done it in 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2016.

Erdoğan congratulates the national football team

Meanwhile, The Turkish president has congratulated the national football team that advanced to UEFA EURO 2020 finals.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told national Turkish broadcaster TRT that the Turkish team became a "nightmare against opponents both in defense and offense".

"I congratulate our manager Şenol Güneş, technical staff and our players as well as the Turkish Football Federation," Erdoğan said after the match.

He was at Istanbul's Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex to watch the game.

"Our next match will be against Andorra. We are also competing against France [in Group H]," Erdoğan said and wished his best to the national team for the next game.

Following the final whistle, Erdoğan visited Turkey's dressing room to congratulate the whole team in person.