András Schäfer's 25th-minute equaliser had cancelled out Kökcü's early opener, but second-half strikes from Aktürkoglu and Kahveci punished Hungary for their own profligacy and ensured that Marco Rossi's team will need to overcome a two-goal deficit in Sunday's second leg in Budapest in order to stay in the top tier of the Nations League during its next edition in 2026.

Minor injuries deprived head coach Marco Rossi of the services of Roland Sallai, Bence Dárdai and Peter Gulácsi, so Dénes Dibusz started in goal behind a defensive three of Attila Fiola, Willi Orbán and Márton Dárdai. Bendeguz Bolla took up a right midfield position with András Schäfer and Tamás Nikitscher occupying the two central spots and Milos Kerkez on the left side of the four, all of whom would support Dominik Szoboszlai, lone central striker Barnabás Varga and Zsolt Nagy in attack.

Although Turkey took a ninth-minute lead, it was Hungary who threatened more often, but too rarely could they find a finishing touch, Schäfer's close-range strike in the 25th minute, having seconds earlier initiated a flowing team move, ultimately proving scant reward for the 15 shots, six of which were on target, that Hungary had over the course of the game - both of those numbers higher than Turkey's tallies.

Varga's header just after the half-hour mark couldn't find the target, so half-time was reached with the scores still level, Schäfer's early booking which will rule him out of Sunday's return match in the Puskás Aréna, the other consequence of a hardfought half. 

Zsolt Nagy incurred the same fate courtesy of his yellow card in the 64th minute and matters soon worsened, a right-wing cross being diverted past Dibusz and into the Hungary net by the shoulder of Aktürkoglu. Schäfer's replacement at half-time by Mihály Kata had shorn Hungary of a driving force and they couldn't wrest back control in central midfield.

Another foray down the right side saw Aktürkoglu turn provider this time, his chest-down from a cross giving Kahveci the chance to double his side's advantage - one he wouldn't spurn.

Still Hungary pressed for a way back into the tie, but Orban's sliding effort from a Szoboszlai free-kick was thwarted by the home goalkeeper and substitute Kevin Csoboth saw a defender clear his shot off the goalline.

This ensured Turkey take a 3-1 advantage into Sunday early evening, but the second leg promises to be another exciting affair with Hungarian hopes of staying in Division A of the Nations League still alive, despite this setback in what was the men's national team's 1,000th match since its first in 1902. 

Turkey 3–1 Hungary (HT: 1–1)
Turkey: Cakir – Akaydin, Ayhan (Müldür, 27), Bardakci, Elmali – Kökcü (Yüksek, 72), Calhanoglu – Aydin (I. Kahveci, 72), Yildiz, Yilmaz (D. Gul, 46) – Aktürkoglu (C. Uzun, 86)

Hungary: Dibusz – Fiola, Orbán, Dárdai M. – Bolla, Schäfer (Kata M., 46), Nikitscher, Kerkez – Szoboszlai, Zsolt Nagy (Csoboth, 78.) – Varga (Szabó L, 71)

Goalscorers: Kökcü (9), Aktürkoglu (69), I. Kahveci (73), HUN: Schäfer (25)