The much-anticipated Armenia-Turkiye World Cup qualifying game is over, and the Turks are the victors, both on and off the pitch.

Second-half goals from Tuncay and Semih gave Turkiye a 2-0 winning start to their World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Saturday in a match full of diplomatic significance. After a scoreless first half Tuncay gave the visiting Turks the lead in the 61st minute, scoring from close range. Semih made it 2-0 in the 79th, capitalizing on a defender's mistake in the box. Turkey leads Group 5 of 2010 World Cup qualifying on goal difference after its 2-0 win against Armenia in Yerevan.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended the match, becoming the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia since the ex-Soviet nation declared independence in 1991.