Spain beat Turkey 0-6 in a dominant performance during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Here is the full match summary, key stats and timeline of the game.
Spain extinguished the Turkish inferno and turned it into a cold wasteland in which Turkey’s national team froze, and had little chance to stand up to a Spanish team that scored a historic win by playing one of its best games against an Ottoman side that, by contrast, showed its worst side in front of its fans in Konya.
Luis de la Fuente‘s team faced a tough test in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group E, playing away from home against Turkey, a team that tends to play a messy game, especially in defence, but capable, at the same time, of giving some occasional unpleasant surprise to their opponents thanks to their boldness in attack. However, Spain arrived in Turkey with a lesson well learnt, and from start to finish they showed their superiority and why they are one of the clear favourites to win the next World Cup.
Pedri opened the scoring in the Spain vs Turkey match after only 6 minutes of play with a spectacular shot that was unstoppable for Çakır, the Turkish goalkeeper. In the 22nd minute, Mikel Merino scored the second: the Arsenal midfielder scored a wonderful goal from Oyarzabal’s pass, beating the Turkish goalkeeper again, who was by far the best of his team and with his interventions prevented what could have been a bigger scoreline in Konya.
The player from Pamplona would also score the third in added time of the first half, scoring almost unchallenged but assisted by a one-two with Pedri and Oyarzabal. In the second half, Ferran Torres scored the 0-4 thanks to a great pass from Lamine Yamal. Just four minutes later came the fifth of the night, again from Mikel Merino, with a spectacular mid-range shot in the 57th minute to seal his hat-trick in Turkey.
The Turkish team was a shadow against an unstoppable Spain
The last goal came just five minutes later, when Pedri scored again thanks to a great pass from Oyarzabal. Spain dominated and the Konya Büyükşehir stadium was completely silent, with the Turkish fans beginning to leave the stands and the Millî Takım, who arrived thinking about challenging Spain for the Group E lead… Receiving a hail of goals.
With no grit, no passion, no ideas and no spirit left, the team led by Italian coach Vincenzo Montella looked in the final minutes like a shadow of what we are used to, with the Turkish players practically playing for time for the end to come as soon as possible. Apart from Çakır, it can be said that only Arda Güler kept his nerve and tried until the end.
Spain, reigning European champions and undefeated in 27 matches, thus completed in Turkey one of those matches difficult to forget for lovers of good football, with a resounding victory that places them as undisputed leaders of their group and closer to qualifying for the World Cup.
Spain vs Turkey timeline and goals
- 6’ – ⚽ Pedri puts Spain ahead with an early goal (0-1).
- 22’ – ⚽ Mikel Merino extends the lead with a well-taken finish (0-2).
- 45+1’ – ⚽ Merino strikes again just before the break (0-3).
- 53’ – ⚽ Ferran Torres adds the fourth after a great team move (0-4).
- 57’ – ⚽ Hat-trick for Merino, increasing Spain’s advantage (0-5).
- 62’ – ⚽ Pedri scores his second to complete the rout (0-6).
- 74’ – 🔄 Double change for Spain: Morata and Rodri come on.
- 80’ – 📊 Spain firmly in control, with far more shots than Turkey.
- 86’ – 🔄 Turkey make late substitutions, bringing on fresh legs.
Spain vs Turkey stats and match statistics
| Statistic | Turkey | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 6 |
| Total shots | 11 | 21 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 12 |
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Pass accuracy | 88% | 90% |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
| Fouls committed | 6 | 9 |
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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