A Burak Yilmaz hattrick saw Turkey upset the Netherlands in the first matchday of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Europe.

The runners up of the 2010 FIFA World Cup lost 4-2 against an inspired Turkish side that were prolific in front of goal.

Turkey took the lead in the 15th minute as Burak Yilmaz’s shot was deflected to wrong foot Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Yilmaz bagged his second for the game less than 20 minutes later from the penalty spot to give the home team a 2-goal advantage in the 34th minute.

Turkey went into the break leading 2-0 and would have been extremely pleased with their performance up to that point.

Things became even better for the Turks as AC Milan central midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu found the back of the net right after the break in the 46th minute with a wonderful curling effort.

It seemed like there was no coming back for the Oranje after this. The Dutch, however, did fight back in what became an attacking end-to-end game.

Davy Klaasen pulled one back for the away team in the 75th minute and inside a minute, Luuk de Jong made it 3-2.

There was hope again for the Dutch and Turkey looked a bit shaken as both substitutes did the damage for the European giants.

However, it was Burak Yilmaz’s night. He scored again in the 81st minute to complete his hattrick and make it 4-2 to seal the win for the home side at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Başakşehir, Istanbul.

Memphis Depay missed a penalty right at the end of the game in the 4th minute of stoppage time as Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir was not tested enough by the Oranje.

This win means Turkey join Norway and Montenegro in Group G of the European qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to have notched up wins after matchday 1.

Latvia and Gibraltar are the other 2 teams that complete the group. Even though the Netherlands suffered this loss, they are still overwhelming favourites to qualify and top Group G.

It will not be easy for the side, however, as Norway features Borussia Dortmund‘s ace striker Erling Braut Haaland so that game will also prove to be challenging.