Buzzin Football

Euro 2008 champions Spain faced a strong Turkey side for the second time in five days in the World Cup group five qualifier, this time in Istanbul. Having taken the three points in the home tie on Saturday with a 1-0 win, Spain knew pretty much what to expect in Turkey.

Turkey once again put Spain under pressure from the start and took a deserved lead in the 26th minute with a tap in from Semih Senturk from a pass by Tuncay Sanli.

Turkey adopted the same tactics they had in Spain, closing down quickly on the Spanish playmakers in midfield almost suffocating the Euro champions at times with clever man marking. Such is the quality of this Spanish side that they stuck to the task, passing the ball well and probing the Turkish defence.

But it was the Turks who came closest to scoring another goal and but for some poor finishing would have had a commanding lead into the second half. Nihat Kahveci was guilty of wasting chances either side of half time, before Spain fought their way back into the game. The pressure on the Turkish defence was immense and they had done well to contain the Spanish threat until Fernando Torres headed the ball towards goal hitting Ibrahim Uzulmez on the arm and winning a penalty.

Xabi Alonso duly scored from the spot and Spain were back in the game. The winner came in injury time when Daniel Guiza on for a jaded looking Torres was picked out with a lovely diagonal ball from Gerard Pique. Guiza beat his man on the right wing and crossed for Albert Riera to convert.

In summary, Spain have not looked so fluid in these last two games and are particularly missing the ingenuity of Andre Iniesta in midfield. Take nothing away from Turkey though who have given Spain two fantastic games. The Turks defend extremely well but are not a defensive side, some of their passing has been sublime  and tactically they have been extremely efficient in their handling of Spain. They had the chances too, to win both games and will rue their awful finishing as they sit in third place in the group, behind Bosnia.