Turkey's World Cup chances weakened after loss to Ukraine

The Turkish national team capitulated 2-0 to Ukraine late on Sept. 2, in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group I match, weakening its chances to make it to the world's most prestigious international tournament. 

New coach Mircea Lusescu, who took over from Fatih Terim after a series of off-the-pitch controversies, was furious after the game, claiming that Ukraine's first goal was offside and that the ball had left the field before the second. 

Still, he admitted that Ukraine "is the team that is playing best in the group." 

"It was not easy but we should have controlled the game," he said, signaling that he will make a major reshuffle in the lineup before the Croatia matchup on Sept. 6. 

"Our chances continue. We have to win all three remaining games," Lusescu added. 

Both goals at the Metalist Stadium came from Andrey Yarmolenko in the 7th and 42nd minutes.      

Years of speculation about a big move to one of Europe's top leagues finally came to an end for Yarmolenko this summer, with the 27-year-old now plying his trade for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.  

"He has been wanting to play in a top European league for a long time now," said former Ukraine international Andrey Voronin. 

"Although he hasn't managed to get that move for the last few years, he can finally show what he is made of on the world stage." He may yet get a chance to shine on the biggest stage of all.

Group I was already one of the most exciting and closely-contested groups in qualifying, but the situation escalated even further on Saturday. 

Ukraine's victory against Turkey temporarily secured it top spot after in-form Iceland suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to a Finland...