Kevin De Bruyne Scores Twice as Belgium Beat Türkiye 3-0

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice as Belgium beat Türkiye 3-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, October 2, at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège. The goals were the 200th and 201st of the 35-year-old's career for club and country.

De Bruyne opened the scoring in the 10th minute. He played a one-two with Dodi Lukebakio and finished from the edge of the box. His second came just before the hour mark. Youri Tielemans won the ball back and laid it off, and De Bruyne curled a shot into the top-left corner. Substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the win in the 76th minute, converting a cut-back from Charles De Ketelaere.

Lukebakio hit the woodwork twice, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept out Yunus Akgun at the other end. Türkiye created chances, with Arda Guler setting up five, but could not score. De Bruyne was playing his 127th match for Belgium and was replaced in the 82nd minute.

It was the first home win for head coach Mark van Bommel, who said of his captain: "Kevin De Bruyne always wants to play." Belgium have two wins and a defeat under him, the loss coming 1-0 in France. The result lifts them to six points, one behind Group A1 leaders France, who drew 1-1 with Italy on the same night.

Türkiye are without a point from their first three games under Vincenzo Montella, following their group-stage exit at the World Cup. Belgium face France at the Stade de France on Monday in the final game of the international window.