Turkey Rallies Past Venezuela 2-1 in World Cup Warm-up Match

Turkey staged a second-half comeback to defeat Venezuela 2-1 in a pre-World Cup friendly match held in Fort Lauderdale, showcasing the talent of UEFA's rising star, Arda Güler. The victory serves as crucial preparation for Vincenzo Montella's squad as they gear up for Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Paraguay.

The match saw Venezuela take an unexpected early lead in the 13th minute when winger Gleiker Mendoza of FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih found the net with a skillful shot. The game appeared even until a corner kick led to confusion in the Venezuelan defense. Baris Alper Yilmaz capitalized on the scramble to equalize for Turkey. The decisive moment came when Arda Güler, the Real Madrid player, provided an assist to Galatasaray forward Yunus Akgün, who sealed the victory with a masterful shot from outside the box.

This win marks an important step for Turkey, which is returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2002. They secured their third appearance by finishing second in their UEFA qualifying group behind Spain. Meanwhile, Venezuela, who has never qualified for a World Cup, is embarking on a new era under former player Oswaldo Vizcarrondo. The team is looking to build momentum despite the loss, as they continue their preparations for future challenges.