Oyarzabal strike secures automatic qualification as Spain’s perfect run ends | OneFootball

Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville, a result that ended their perfect winning run in qualifying but confirmed their automatic passage as Group E winners.

Luis de la Fuente’s side required only to avoid a seven-goal defeat to reach their 13th consecutive World Cup.

They began quickly and took the lead inside four minutes when Marc Cucurella’s delivery found Dani Olmo, who brought the ball under control and finished with precision past Altay Bayindir.

The early breakthrough energised Spain and they created a series of chances to extend their advantage.

Olmo twice tested Bayindir from distance, Aleix Garcia shot narrowly wide and Mikel Oyarzabal also went close during a dominant spell in which Spain appeared firmly in control.

Turkey resisted the pressure and grew into the contest, punishing Spain’s first lapse shortly before half-time.

A corner created uncertainty in the Spanish area and Deniz Gul reacted quickest to steer a loose ball beyond Unai Simon, becoming the first player to score against Spain in this qualifying cycle.

Spain responded with urgency and crafted two late chances before the interval, but the match remained level at 1-1.

Turkey carried that momentum into the second half and forced Simon into two sharp saves as Spain struggled to settle.

The visitors then stunned La Cartuja with a well-worked second goal, as Salih Ozcan struck cleanly from the edge of the area after Orkun Kokcu teed him up.

Spain needed a moment of composure and Oyarzabal supplied it. The forward reacted quickly to a rebound after Yeremy Pino’s effort was blocked on the line, guiding the ball home to make it 2-2 and restoring control for the hosts.

It was his sixth goal of the qualifying campaign and another reminder of his importance under De la Fuente.

Both teams pushed for a winner during an open final quarter, with Yilmaz forcing Simon into another stop and substitute Samu Aghehowa denied twice by the outstanding Bayindir.

Spain thought they had snatched victory in stoppage time when Fermin Lopez finished from close range, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Spain end the qualifiers unbeaten with 21 goals scored and just two conceded, and they will discover their group-stage opponents on 5 December when the draw takes place in Washington, D.C.

Turkey finish second and move into the play-offs.