Spain Vs Turkey: La Roja Aims For World Cup Ticket Certainty At Sevilla

JAKARTA - Spain came to Estadio La Cartuja with a confident vibe that almost made the opponent feel inferior. They just need no less than seven goals from Turkey to mathematically lock up tickets to the 2026 World Cup. Mathematically, that is the case, but reasoningly, La Roja has stepped half into the United States "Canada" Mexico.

La Roja led Group E with a three-point advantage over Turkey, plus a comfortable goal difference. Luis de la Fuente's team underwent qualifying like a cheat code mode: five games, five wins, 19 goals, and five clean sheets. They even just broke a national record of 30 competitive matches without defeat after beating Georgia 4-0 on Saturday 15 November.

Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates his 50th cap with two goals, Martin Zubimendi participates in the party, and Ferran Torres doesn't want to be left behind. A complete package that seems to say: "We don't just want to qualify, we want to send a strong message to the world."

History also sided. Spain won in the last four meetings against Turkey, including a brutal 6-0 victory in Istanbul in September 2025.

Turkey came to Sevilla with a more grounded realism. The 0-6 defeat was the only stain in their qualifiers, as in another match they wiped out points against Georgia and Bulgaria. A 2-0 win over Bulgaria on Saturday over Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty and an Atanas Chernev's own goal ensured a top two.

Still, the most plausible scenario for Vincenzo's men is to prepare for the playoffs. To qualify directly, they need to win seven goals in Sevilla. In theory, maybe, in practice... difficult to imagine.

But Turkey still brings little hope: the desire to become the first team to beat Spain in a competitive match since Scotland in March 2023. They also want to break Spain's strong wall, which has not conceded since the Nations League final against Portugal.

In fact, the puzzle will be tough. Turkey has played nine games in a row and failed to win against Spain.

In this match Spain is still without Pedri, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, and Lamine Yamal. Dean Huijsen is likely to remain grounded due to a groin problem. Yeremy Pino could be a rotational option up front. Mikel Oyarzabal, who is in predatory mode, eight goals in eight matches will return to the foundation.

Turkey without Ismail Yuksek being suspended. Kaan Ayhan is doubtful after being injured while being a substitute. Abdulkerim Bardakci and Kerem Akturkoglu are struggling to recover after missing training.

The Euro 2024 winning team is superior and has proven its level when they won 6-0 in Istanbul. With World Cup tickets in sight, they are predicted to appear again and be effective in completing qualifying matters in their distinctive style.

Estimated Spain Lineup (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Oyarzabal.

Turkey (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Calhanoglu, Kocu; Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu.

Turkey's PredictionSpain 3-0.