MATCH REPORT | Spain Head to the World Cup (2-2)

On Tuesday evening, there was only one thought on the minds of the Spanish squad: sealing qualification for the World Cup. The national team depended solely on themselves to secure a spot in their 13th consecutive World Cup.

Spain debuted their new kit, which will also be worn at next summer’s World Cup, and wasted no time in making an impact. Cucurella delivered a ball into the heart of the area, which Dani Olmo converted to open the scoring, becoming the first player to score in the new kit.

The early goal gave Spain a boost, and they continued to press for more against Bayındır’s goal. Olmo, Aleix García, and Oyarzabal all tried their luck before the first half’s midpoint, but their shots narrowly missed. Around the 30-minute mark, Olmo came close to scoring twice from outside the area, only to be denied by excellent goalkeeping. La Cartuja, eager to celebrate, responded with a wave that quickly spread throughout the stadium.

In the 42nd minute, following a corner, Turkey capitalized on a loose ball in the area, with Deniz Gül leveling the score. The goal did not alter Luis de la Fuente’s team’s plan, who immediately created two strong chances—through Cubarsí and Fabián—to regain the lead. With the score tied 1-1, Felix Zwayer signaled the end of the first half.

In the second half, Turkey pushed forward and threatened Unai Simón’s goal on several occasions. İrfan Kahveci initially, followed by Barış Alper Yılmaz with a bicycle kick, tested the Spanish keeper, who could not stop Özcan’s powerful strike from the edge of the area. The Turkish side took the lead.

Spain responded through their talisman, Mikel Oyarzabal. The Eibar forward collected a rebound from Bayındır after a shot from Yeremy Pino and scored to equalize, extending his tally to 16 goals as the top scorer of the De la Fuente era.

From that moment, the match opened up, with both sides creating chances to take the lead. Yılmaz, Turkey’s most active player, once again tested Unai, while Samu, who entered in the 62nd minute, chased the goal that could have secured all three points for Spain. In the final action of the game, Fermín scored, but the goal was ruled out by the German referee, a decision confirmed by VAR as the Huelva-born forward was offside.

Spain finishes the World Cup qualifying campaign undefeated at the top of their group. The national team will learn their opponents on 5 December in the draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.