Turkiye Women U19 won a thrilling eight-goal international friendly against Slovakia Women U19 on 12 October 2026, taking the match 5-3 after a dramatic second-half spell. The game was a superb showcase of youth football, with both teams attacking freely and producing a scoreline that swung one way and then the other.

Turkiye race into an early lead

Turkiye Women U19 started explosively and found themselves 3-0 up inside the opening half-hour. Their high press forced Slovakia into mistakes at the back, and the Turkish forward line was ruthless in front of goal. The first goal came from a quick counter-attack, the second from a well-struck free-kick and the third from a close-range finish after a low cross from the left.

Slovakia Women U19 looked stunned but gradually played their way back into the match. A goal just before half-time gave them hope, and an early second-half strike made it 3-2. When Slovakia equalised shortly afterwards, the friendly had turned into a genuinely compelling contest.

Key moments and second-half drama

• Turkiye opener: A fast break ended with a composed finish into the bottom corner.
• Free-kick masterclass: Turkiye doubled the lead with a curling set piece from the edge of the box.
• Third goal: A low cross was turned in from close range to make it 3-0.
• Slovakia fightback: Two quick goals either side of half-time brought the score back to 3-2.
• Equaliser: Slovakia levelled at 3-3 with a header from a corner, capping a remarkable comeback.
• Late Turkiye winner: Turkiye scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to secure a 5-3 victory.

Tactical story

Turkiye Women U19 were at their best when pressing high and attacking quickly. Their 4-2-3-1 shape allowed the attacking midfielder to find space between the lines, and the front three constantly rotated to confuse Slovakia’s back four. For the first 30 minutes, that approach was devastating.

Slovakia Women U19 responded by switching to a more direct style, getting the ball forward quickly and winning second balls in the final third. Their comeback was built on set pieces and crosses, which caused Turkiye problems throughout the second half. In the end, however, Turkiye’s superior individual quality in the final third and their ability to raise the tempo late on made the difference. Slovakia will be encouraged by their fighting spirit but disappointed with the defensive errors that allowed Turkiye to score five.

Standout players

Turkiye’s centre-forward was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick and leading the line with maturity beyond her years. The attacking midfielder added a goal and an assist, while the left winger was a constant threat with her pace and direct running. Turkiye’s goalkeeper also made two crucial saves during Slovakia’s best spell.

For Slovakia Women U19, the No. 10 was the driving force behind the comeback, scoring one goal and setting up another. The right winger caused problems with her crossing, and the centre-back who scored the equalising header showed great determination. Despite the defeat, several Slovakian players enhanced their reputations in what was a highly competitive friendly.

What the friendly means for both teams

International friendlies at U19 level are primarily about development, and both sides will take valuable lessons from this match. Turkiye Women U19 will be pleased with their attacking output but will want to address the defensive lapses that allowed a 3-0 lead to become 3-3. Slovakia Women U19, meanwhile, showed excellent character to fight back from three goals down and will focus on starting matches more strongly. The eight-goal spectacle was exactly the kind of test that helps young players prepare for the demands of competitive tournament football.