"Spain finish unbeaten at the top of Group E despite being given genuine scare by Turkiye, who will compete in playoffs. Spain booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Turkiye in their final qualifier to top Group E. Turkey finished second and will compete in the playoffs after they became the first team to force Luis de la Fuente's Euro 2024 champions to drop points on Tuesday."
"They knew to qualify all they had to do was avoid defeat by a seven-goal margin, which was never on the cards, and might have triumphed if not for some inspired goalkeeping by Manchester United stopper Altay Bayindir. Marc Cucurella's cross found Olmo in the box and he controlled it well to bypass a defender before finishing lethally in the fourth minute. The Barcelona playmaker twice came close to scoring a second from long range but Bayindir tipped over both efforts."
"Spain scored 21 goals in qualifying while conceding just twice and have not tasted defeat in a national record 31 consecutive games. However, that run includes a 2-2 Nations League final draw with Portugal after extra-time in June, with Spain losing on penalties. Turkiye showed de la Fuente's side are not flawless, although Spain were missing several key players, including Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Rodri."
Spain finished unbeaten at the top of Group E and clinched qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Turkiye. Turkiye finished second and will compete in the playoffs after becoming the first team to force Luis de la Fuente's side to drop points. Dani Olmo opened the scoring before Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan put Turkiye ahead, and Mikel Oyarzabal equalised in Seville. Spain scored 21 goals in qualifying and conceded just twice, extending an unbeaten streak to a national record 31 consecutive games. Several key Spanish players were absent, and Altay Bayindir produced crucial saves for Turkiye.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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