Spain seals its qualification for the World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Turkey

The Spanish national team completed the formality against **Turkey** to close the European qualifiers and, with it, their qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Only a catastrophic defeat (by seven goals difference) could send La Roja to the playoffs on the final matchday. **The 2-2 draw at La Cartuja** kept the difference between them intact.

Spain had thrashed Turkey in Konya (0-6) on matchday 2 and maintained a 3-point lead at the top of group E. Finally, on Tuesday, the undefeated streak of Unai Simón's goal fell, but not that of La Roja, which now has 31 official matches without defeat (an absolute record).

Dani Olmo put Spain ahead with a spectacular goal

The match seemed to be heading for a resounding victory for Luis de la Fuente's team, who were already ahead in Seville in just 4 minutes. A cross from the left by Cucurella did not find Fabián Ruiz, but it did find Dani Olmo, who surprised the Turkish defense by entering the middle of the box unmarked to finish first-time with a cross-shot.

On his return to the starting XI (he was on the bench against Georgia), Olmo completed a notable first half. With the '10' on his shirt, the Terrassa native led the Spanish attack, moving freely as a left winger and linking up with Mikel Oyarzabal and Cucurella to create danger.

Dani Olmo scored the partial 1-0 against Turkey

Dani almost scored a brace in the 31st minute with a powerful shot from midfield that narrowly missed surprising Bayındır. The goalkeeper had to stretch to clear the ball for a corner, after the Barça player's second attempt from outside the box in consecutive minutes.

The match was a monologue by La Roja, but Deniz Gül, before halftime, equalized the score by taking advantage of a defensive error by the locals after a corner served by Baris Yilmaz in the 42nd minute.

Oyarzabal saved La Roja's unbeaten streak in the second half

Spain felt the blow after halftime and, in the 55th minute, Salih Özcan put the Ottomans ahead, who started the second half much better. De la Fuente brought on Ferran Torres for Mikel Merino at halftime, but the team lost solidity in midfield.

La Roja, however, reacted immediately upon finding themselves at a disadvantage for the first time in the entire qualifying campaign. In the 62nd minute, a breakthrough by Cucurella ended in a point-blank shot by **Yéremy Pino** saved on the line by Demiral. **The rebound fell to Oyarzabal**, who finished at ease against Bayındır to level the score once again.

In the 73rd minute, Olmo left the field to be replaced by Fermín López. Spain regained control of the match in the final quarter of an hour, and both Ferran and Álex Baena had clear opportunities to score, but the opposing goalkeeper was immense in preventing his team from conceding.

In any case, Spain is already in the World Cup (their ninth consecutive) and remains the only undefeated country at home in qualifiers for FIFA's top tournament. Furthermore, La Roja holds the world record for consecutive matches scoring (49) in World Cup qualifiers

In March, there will be a pre-World Cup friendly, to which the reigning European champion arrives as a strong favorite alongside Argentina. A step below are France and Portugal. Brazil, for now, is not considered a favorite, nor is Germany. Turkey, along with 15 other teams, will play in the playoffs in March.