Spain dey target back-to-back wins for 2026 World Cup qualifiers as dem face Turkey Sunday night for Group E. La Roja start their campaign well with 3-0 win against Bulgaria, while Turkey manage beat Georgia 3-2 for thriller game.
Match Preview
Turkey look like say dem go cruise against Georgia after Mert Muldur open scoring and Kerem Akturkoglu add two more to make am 3-0. But Georgia no gree, score two goals late and make am nervy finish before Turkey hold the 3-2 win.
Turkey last show for World Cup na 2002 when dem finish 3rd. Now, coach Vincenzo Montella squad dey aim to qualify, even though dem sabi say Spain dey on another level. History sef no dey their side as dem only beat Spain two times ever, last one na 1967.
Spain meanwhile dey on form. Dem hammer Bulgaria 3-0 with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino. Coach Luis de la Fuente men dey full of confidence after winning Euro 2024, and dem dey push to make World Cup statement after poor runs in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Form Guide
Turkey – World Cup Qualifiers: W
Turkey – All Competitions: L W W W L W
Spain – World Cup Qualifiers: W
Spain – All Competitions: W D W W L W
Team News
Turkey no get new injury wahala. Akturkoglu go still lead attack after him brace vs Georgia. Arda Guler (Real Madrid) go dey number 10 role, while captain Hakan Calhanoglu hold midfield with Juventus star Kenan Yildiz for attack too.
For Spain side, Lamine Yamal cause small scare with back pain vs Bulgaria but coach expect am fit to face Turkey. De la Fuente fit still keep same XI wey start last match – with Merino, Oyarzabal and Robin Le Normand still inside lineup despite pressure from stars like Morata, Ferran Torres and Pau Cubarsi.
Possible Lineups
Turkey XI: Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Akgun, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, N Williams
Score Prediction
This match fit tight but Spain get more balance. Turkey fit score through their young attackers but La Roja quality go shine through.
Prediction: Turkey 1-2 Spain
