In the Nations League playoff second leg, Türkiye secured a victory over Hungary, earning promotion to League A.
However, it was the tension between Arda Guler, who started in the first XI, and Hungary’s captain Dominik Szoboszlai that made headlines. Szoboszlai was upset by a gesture made by the Turkish star and expressed his frustration on social media.
The match, played at the Puskas Arena, saw tensions flare up between Arda Guler and Szoboszlai after a physical altercation in the first half. Following a controversial incident, Szoboszlai reacted harshly towards Guler, and the Turkish player responded in kind, increasing the animosity between the two.
During the altercation, Arda Guler made a “Shut up” gesture to Szoboszlai, telling him in English to “shut your mouth.” Szoboszlai, visibly irritated by the gesture, went on to complain to the referee about Guler’s actions.
After the match, Arda Guler expressed his satisfaction with the result.
Szoboszlai, who was frustrated not only by the defeat but also by Arda Guler’s gesture, took to social media to express his discontent. On a Hungarian news site’s post featuring a photo of Guler making the “Shut up” gesture, Szoboszlai commented with the number “1088.”
The number “1088” refers to the amount of playing time Arda Guler has had at Real Madrid this season. Guler has struggled to find consistent minutes under coach Carlo Ancelotti, having played just 1088 minutes so far. Szoboszlai’s comment seemed to be a jab at Arda’s limited role at Real Madrid, using the playing time figure as a subtle reference.
The situation highlights the intensity of the match and the emotional aftermath for both players. Despite the tension on the pitch, Türkiye’s victory secured their place in Nations League A, while Szoboszlai and Hungary will now have to regroup after their defeat.
