24 Years Later, a Goal... Arda Güler Surpasses Emre Belözoğlu

Arda Güler has etched his name in Turkish football history, becoming the nation's youngest goal scorer in a FIFA World Cup match. The young talent achieved this milestone at just 21 years and 120 days old during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Güler found the back of the net in the 10th minute against the United States, leveling the score after Turkey conceded an early goal in the 3rd minute. This crucial equalizer ended a long drought for the Turkish national team in World Cup competitions.

It was Turkey's first goal in a World Cup match since İlhan Mansız scored the golden goal against South Korea in the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. The team had taken 62 shots across their previous two matches without finding the target before Güler's breakthrough.

With his goal against the USA, Güler surpassed Emre Belözoğlu, who was 21 years and 275 days old when he scored against Costa Rica, to become Turkey's youngest World Cup goal scorer.