A TURKEY ace who played a crucial role in his side’s thrilling win over Georgia suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction by wearing the wrong kit.
Samet Akaydin, who stars for Fenerbahce, played all 90 minutes as Turkey beat Georgia 3-1 at Euro 2024.
Samet Akaydin had an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction in Turkey’s win over Georgia
GettyThe ace, who wears the No4 shirt, wore teammate Abdulkerim Bardacki’s No14 shorts by mistake[/caption]
However, eagle-eyed fans noticed something bizarre late on as the centre-back made a match-winning block in the dying minutes.
Georgia thought they’d bagged a 95th minute equaliser when a shot rocketed off Turkey’s post and fell into the feet of one of their forwards.
His effort looked certain to go in before Akaydin threw himself in front of the shot, blocking it round the post to save Turkey’s skin.
However, replays showed the defender, who wears the No4 for his country, was wearing a pair of shorts with a different number.
Akaydin’s lower piece of kit actually bore the No14, which belongs to defensive partner Abdulkerim Bardacki of Galatasaray.
Fans found the kit mix-up hilarious though before dishing out jokes, with one saying: “He clearly had an unfair advantage, no way he stops that shot with the No4 shorts.”
Another declared: “Lmaooo wtf.”
One noted: “Life time ban from sports.”
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Another added: “What was the fourth official doing?”
Akaydin also saw the funny side as he tweeted after the match: “For those of you wondering, I returned the shorts to their owner.”
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The high-octane game saw Akaydin’s side take a 25th minute lead through Mert Muldur before having a second goal quickly ruled out for offside.
Georges Mikautadze then summoned an equaliser for Georgia soon after.
But Turkey regained the lead in the 65th minute as Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler fired home a screamer.
Georgia came tantalisingly close to an equaliser late on, including Akaydin’s blocked shot at the death.
But after sending their goalie up for a final corner, Georgia were left without a single player in defence as Kerem Akturkoglu charged up the field in the 97th minute to slot home into an empty net for 3-1.
Turkey Euro 2024 guide
AFTER tournament semi-finals in 2002 and 2008, Turkey have suffered something of a lost decade in international football.
But they still have plenty of talent such as set piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Guler, who Jude Bellingham labelled the most gifted player he has ever seen.
MANAGER: Vincenzo Montella
Roma legend has had a mixed record in club management, but has excelled in his first international job with the Turks breezing past Croatia and Wales in qualifying.
STAR MAN: Hakan Calhanoglu
Known for his deadly free kicks, Calhanoglu helped Inter Milan to the Champions League final in 2023.
How Turkey attack
Turkey are patient in creating the correct shape to play through the thirds – but then aggressive when the attacking passing lanes open up.
As they move the ball into the middle they will use longer passes into wide areas where their wide attackers and full-backs look to overload the opposition.
How Turkey defend
Turkey have a lot of experienced and physical players who understand how to create pressing traps like this to force a mistake from the opposition.
They excel at creating a high defensive block, often forcing even the best teams to play long in order to neutralise it.
Read the full Turkey Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags