2016 UEFA Euro in France June 10 - July 10,2016 - Group D Spain Vs Turkey Friday June 17,2016

Group D  Spain Vs Turkey Match Preview

The overwhelming feeling emanating from the Spain camp after their win over an obdurate Czech Republic side was one of sheer relief. Despite their recent success, it was the first time they had won the opening game of a European Championships or World Cup since Euro 2008.

Turkey face an uphill battle to end a 62-year wait for a victory over Spain, especially given how disappointing they were in their opening defeat against Croatia.

Match Facts

Head-to-head

• Turkey have only registered one win in 10 games against Spain (D4, L5) - a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier in Istanbul back in March 1954.
• Turkey qualified for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland by the drawing of lots after their play-off tie against Spain in Rome ended 2-2.
• Spain have conceded only one goal in their last six matches against Turkey, however that goal did come in their last meeting in 2009.
• This will be the first time that they have met in the finals of a major tournament.

Spain

• Spain are unbeaten in their last 13 games at the European Championship finals (W10 D3), the longest run in the history of the competition. Their last defeat in the tournament was 1-0 against Portugal in June 2004.
• Spain have only conceded one goal in their last 10 games in the tournament, which was scored by Italy's Antonio Di Natale on 10 June 2012 , in a 1-1 draw.
• In their opening match against Czech Republic, Andres Iniesta contributed his fourth assist at a Euros, the joint-most for Spain alongside Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
• David de Gea hasn't conceded a goal in four competitive games with Spain.

Turkey

• Turkey have won only three of their 13 games at the European Championship finals (D2, L8).
• They've also only kept two clean sheets in those 13 games.
• Turkey have improved on their position each time they have qualified for the European Championships; they were knocked out in the group stages in 1996 before reaching the quarter-finals in 2000 and the semis in 2008.
• Only one of Turkey's 11 goals at the Euros finals has been scored before the 45th minute.
• Turkey striker Cenk Tosun didn't have a shot or set up an attempt in his 69 minutes against Croatia. He completed only two passes in the opposition half

Group D Spain beat Turkey 3-0

Spain came into the match after winning their opening game of a European Championship or World Cup for the first time since Euro 2008, while Turkey had been heavily criticised for their poor display in their loss to Croatia, and the match unfolded as many had predicted.

The Spaniards, unbeaten in 62 years against their opponents and undefeated in their last 13 games at the European Championship finals, were dominant and, at times, unplayable.

Two-time defending champions Spain progressed to the last 16 of the European Championship with a masterful display against a poor Turkey in Nice. 

In the performance of the tournament, Spain became the first team to score more than twice in a Euro 2016 match.

Alvaro Morata headed Spain ahead in the 34th minute while Nolito doubled the lead in the 37th minute, side-footing home from close range.

The third goal was a sublime 22-pass move involving nine outfield players, ending with Morata finding the net in the 48th minute

Group D leaders Spain will next play Croatia and even a draw on Tuesday would ensure the holders end the group stages topping the table. Turkey, on the brink after two defeats, must beat the Czech Republic to retain any hope of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams. 

Match Statistics 

• Sergio Ramos' yellow card after 58 seconds was the fastest at the Euros since Aleksandrs Isakovs was booked for Latvia against Germany after 40 seconds at Euro 2004.
• Morata and Nolito are the 34th and 35th different scorers for Spain at the European Championships, the most of any team in the competition's history (one more than Germany on 34).
• Nolito became the sixth different player in Euros history to score and assist in the same game for Spain, following Pereda, Cesc Fabregas, Dani Guiza, David Silva and Fernando Torres.
• Turkey haven't kept a clean sheet at the Euros since a 2-0 win over Belgium at Euro 2000 - they've conceded 15 goals in eight games since then.
• Morata became the fifth player to score 2-plus goals in a Euros game for Spain, following Alfonso Perez, David Villa (hat-trick v Russia), Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso.
• Spain are unbeaten in 14 games at the Euros (W11 D3), and haven't conceded a goal in 690 minutes of action.