De Bruyne didn't celebrate his goal in Izmir, three days after 18 workers died nearby

Kevin De Bruyne equalized for Belgium in Izmir on Thursday and didn't celebrate. Before kickoff at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium, both teams had stood for a moment of silence for the 18 workers killed Monday in an explosion at the HABAŞ steel plant in Aliağa, about 60 kilometers north of the city, and Turkey's players wore black armbands. De Bruyne's goal in the 27th minute started a three-minute turnaround, and Belgium won 2-1 to hand Sergen Yalçın a defeat in his first game as Turkey coach.

The blast hit the plant's steelworks on Nov. 9. According to Turkish officials, an overhead crane fell into an electric arc furnace during a liquid-steel pour. Nine people were remanded in custody on Wednesday, and the company's chairman, Mehmet Rüştü Başaran, was placed under house arrest. About 700 people gathered in Aliağa on Tuesday night to demand workplace safety, AFP reported, and funerals were still being held across the region on Wednesday.

That was the backdrop when De Bruyne arrived at the penalty spot to finish Jérémy Doku's low pass from the left. Yeni Şafak reported that some Turkish fans applauded his decision not to celebrate. Three minutes later, Charles De Ketelaere tapped in from close range after Ugurcan Çakır saved Diego Moreira's shot and Maxim De Cuyper pulled the rebound back across the box.

Turkey were the better team early. Belgium had only 35% of the ball after a quarter of an hour, Sporza noted, and Arda Güler put the home side ahead in the 20th minute with a left-footed free kick from about 25 to 30 meters that went over the wall into the top corner. Yalçın was seen smiling on the bench.

The new coach's chosen striker, Enes Ünal, lasted until the 57th minute, when Deniz Gül replaced him and Hakan Çalhanoğlu came on for Orkun Kökçü. Turkey kept pushing, and Senne Lammens saved from Barış Alper Yılmaz, Güler, Gül and Yunus Akgün in the second half, but no equalizer came. De Bruyne went off in the 68th minute for Leandro Trossard.

The table is now harsh for Turkey. Five games, five defeats, three goals scored and 13 conceded, and UEFA had already said a loss here would lock them into fourth place in Group A1. Belgium move to nine points and go into Sunday's home game against Italy still alive for the quarterfinals, depending on Italy vs. France in Milan tonight. For De Bruyne, it was his third goal against Turkey in this group, and the one he chose not to celebrate.