Spain secured automatic qualification to the World Cup and matched a European record with a 2-2 draw against Turkey in Seville.
Under coach Luis de la Fuente, La Roja finished top of Group E, boasting five wins and a clean sheet in six qualifying games. The result extended their unbeaten streak to 31 matches, equalling Italy’s record set between 2018 and 2021.
Second-placed Turkey needed a seven-goal victory to overtake Spain but will now enter the play-offs in March, facing either Northern Ireland, Sweden, Romania, or North Macedonia.
Spain’s unbeaten run features 25 wins and six draws, with their last defeat coming in a 2-0 loss to Scotland in March 2023 during a European Championship qualifier. They subsequently went on to win the tournament.
In the Seville clash, Dani Olmo opened the scoring, finishing from Marc Cucurella’s cut-back to net his 12th international goal on his first start since March. Turkey responded through Deniz Gul, who equalised, and Salih Ozcan, who put Turkey ahead in the 54th minute.
Spain salvaged a draw when Mikel Oyarzabal scored his sixth qualifying goal, tapping in the rebound after Yeremy Pino’s effort was blocked. Olmo had earlier been denied by Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, while Baris Yilmaz’s acrobatic effort forced a spectacular save from Unai Simon.
With the draw, only England remain in European qualifying without conceding a goal.
BY SPORTS DESK
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