Selcuk Inan's late free kick seals Turkey's spot at Euro 2016

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:11 am

Turkey ended Netherlands' hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 and sealed progress themselves as Selcuk Inan's late winner snatched a 1-0 win against Iceland.

The victory ensured Turkey finished ahead of Netherlands in Group A and they also avoid the lottery of the playoffs, going through automatically as the competition's best third-placed team.

Sides coming third have their points gained against the bottom-placed team removed, which proved beneficial for Turkey, who managed only two points against last-placed Latvia.

Turkey needed only a point in Konya to see off Netherlands, who lost 3-2 at home to the Czech Republic, but they went two better as Inan's stunning free kick in the 89th minute snatched a dramatic victory.

Selcuk Inan's late winner put Turkey into Euro 2016.
AP Photo

It means Turkey sidestep the playoffs, where they were beaten in 2011 by Croatia and missed out on Euro 2012.

The campaign has been unspectacular, however, for Fatih Terim's side, who have drawn twice with Latvia and lost to the group's top two, the Czech Republic and Iceland.

The final match seemed likely to end in anti-climax as well, as a dreary contest headed towards a goalless draw before Turkey's Gokhan Tore was sent off with 12 minutes remaining for a nasty challenge on Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

Iceland, however, perhaps distracted having already sealed progress, never looked like capitalising and instead it was Inan who grabbed the winner, curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards with one minute left.