Borussia Dortmund internationals: Salih Özcan stars as Turkey claim crucial win
By Tushar Bahl
Salih Özcan set up the winning goal as Turkey beat Croatia to all but secure their qualification for next year’s European Championship.
Four Borussia Dortmund players enjoyed wins with their respective national teams on Thursday evening. Salih Özcan played from the start for Turkey as they went up against Croatia in a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier. And the in-form defensive midfielder set up what proved to be the winning goal in the 30th minute with an excellent defence splitting long ball into the path of Barış Alper Yılmaz.
The Galatasaray forward then found the back of the net with a beautiful chipped finish past the Croatia goalkeeper.
The result helped Turkey move to the top of the Group D standings, and a win against Latvia on Sunday would be enough to help them secure their place in the 2024 European Championship.
A brace from former Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland helped Norway keep their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 alive, as they claimed a 4-0 win over Cyprus. Alexander Sørloth and Fredrik Aursnes were also on target for Norway as they registered a comfortable win.
Julian Ryerson was on the pitch for 90 minutes for Norway, who are five points behind Group A leaders Scotland and two points behind second-placed Spain (who have a game in hand). Norway’s final two games are against Spain and Scotland, and they must win both to have any chance of qualifying for the European Championship.
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Ramy Bensebaini played 90 minutes as Algeria claimed a 5-1 win over Cape Verde in a friendly match. While Jamie Bynoe-Gittens came off the bench as England U-21s cruised to an emphatic 9-1 win over Serbia in the European U-21 Championship qualifiers.