“I congratulate the Turkish national football team, which successfully performed in the European Football Championship in Germany, on the occasion of qualifying for the 1/4 finals and taking a place among the eight strongest European national teams,” said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he shared a post on his official X account.

"I especially congratulate Merih Demiral, who scored 2 goals in the 1/8 finals, recognizing as the best player of the match. The punishment imposed on Merih is unfair and I strongly condemn it. I wish the Turkish national team victory in the match against the Netherlands! Long live the Turkic world!" the post added.