The last time the Germany national football team vs Turkey national football team lineups faced each other in a football game it was latter that scripted a shock by defeating the four-time World champions 3-2 in November 2023. And while it was an impressive victory, it only came in a friendly. In fact, despite sharing the same confederation (UEFA), the two teams have rarely played each other in tournaments.
The reason for this is because of the latter’s record of qualifying for few of these tournaments.
Despite having one of the best football leagues outside the top five, Turkey have only participated in five UEFA Euro and two FIFA World Cups. However, even in these limited appearances, the two teams have squared off against each other on three different occasions.
However, all three of these games were to notch entertainers, keeping fans on the edge.
So, without further ado, we take a look at the two times that the Germany national football team vs Turkey national football team lineups faced each other.
1954 FIFA World Cup West Germany 4-1 Turkey
Their first meeting would come in the 1954 FIFA World Cup, where the dup were in Group 2 alongside Ferenc Puskas’ Hungary and South Korea. With Hungary, also called the Mighty Magyars, hot favourites for the World Cup, the primary fight was for the second spot.
And it was under these circumstances that Germany faced Turkey on June 17, 1954 at the Wankdorf Stadium. And the Germans’ technical superiority shone throughout the game as they proved too skilful to handle the Turkish defenders. Hans Schafer. Bernhard Klodt, Ottmar Walter and Max Morlock scored for Die Mannschaft, while Turkey’s sole goals came courtesy of Suat Mamat.
At the end of the group stage, both teams were tied on points, which led to a playoff match to decide who would join Hungary. This match was far more one-sided than their previous encounter six days earlier as Germany, riding on a hat-trick from Max Morlock and a brace from Schafer, won the game 7-2. Germany would embark on an inspired run, which ended with them beating Hungary in the final 3-2 in what is now called the ‘Miracle of Bern’.
Read More: Argentina vs Croatia at the FIFA World Cups
UEFA Euro 2008, Germany 3-2 Turkey
It would be more than half a century later that the two teams would face each other at a major tournament. At the UEFA Euro 2008, both Germany and Turkey were playing brilliant football. And they eventually met in the semi-finals which was to be played at the St. Jakob-Park. Ugur Boral opened the scoring for Turkey before Bastian Schweinsteiger levelled the scoring.
For the next 50 minutes, both teams continued to battle for dominance. Germany got the lead through Miroslav Klose, but the Turks immediately replied with Semih Senturk. Just when it looked like the game would go into extra time, Phillip Lahm scored a brilliant goal to help his team win the goal.
Germany would lose in the final to Spain 1-0, with Fernando Torres goal enough for La Rojas to win their maiden Euro title.
