Overview
- Hakan Calhanoglu put Turkey ahead with a first‑half penalty after a handball following his initial free kick.
- An own goal by Atanas Chernev from a Calhanoglu set piece secured the win in the second half.
- The match at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium keeps Turkey second in Group E and confirms a March playoff path, with direct qualification now highly unlikely.
- Bulgaria’s slide continued with a fifth loss in six meetings with Turkey and an eighth defeat in nine internationals this year.
- The result builds on Turkey’s 6–1 thrashing of Bulgaria in October and a recent 4–1 win over Georgia that showcased their attacking edge.