[img]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSnV-DgzV8k5OwoprekuyKXZUSh61wIHlMaOtG7Ft7GlAND-4jXhnXQBgU[/img] [size=16pt]Spain vs Turkey[/size] [img]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9laaQmDZ3phKOPy5WFp3QbvvXalYgPseal-LQXzTymUTlw-7TPah4kqg[/img]

Spain and Turkey go head-to-head on Thursday night at the Stade de Nice with the current holders looking to secure a place in the Round of 16. Turkey last beat La Furia Roja in 1954.

Turkey lost their Group D opener 1-0 to Croatia thanks to Luka Modric’s superb long-range volley just before half-time. It could have been worse for Fatih Terim as Croatia hit the woodwork on three occasions.

Arda Turan, who plays his club football at Barcelona, did not have the best of days and the same can be said of midfielders Oguzhan Ozyakup and Hakan Calhanoglu, who will all need to improve against the 2010 World Cup winners.

Speaking after the game, Terim could not hide his disappointment. “We have two more games, against Spain and the Czech Republic, and we’ll do our best. We’ll keep fighting. We never start tournaments well. I’m upset, but we’ll take our lessons from this.

“Our big players need to deliver more. It’s a team game but I have high expectations from them and, if they deliver enough, we’ll get some good results,” he added.

The result puts pressure on the Crescent Stars to pick up a result against Spain, who gave nothing away in their opening match against Czech Republic.

Vicente Del Bosque’s side picked up 3 points against a resilient Czech Republic side. Spain chipped away at their opponents throughout the game but were denied time and time again by Petr Cech and his defence. The deadlock was finally broken in the 87th minute when Pique rose at the back post to head in Andres Iniesta’s cross.

The assist for Iniesta was the icing on the cake of an exceptional performance where he effortlessly rolled back the years.

Del Bosque went with Alvaro Morata up front, who didn’t have the best of matches. Nolito was deployed on the left-wing and also left a lot of room for improvement. David De Gea is expected to remain in goal for the match, having seemingly secured his role as Spain’s number 1.

Head to Head Record

Turkey vs Spain 1-2 (2010 World Cup qualifiers)
Spain vs Turkey 1-0 (2010 World Cup qualifiers)
Spain vs Turkey 2-0 (Euro 1968 qualifiers)
Turkey vs Spain 0-0 (Euro 1968 qualifiers)
Turkey vs Spain 2-2 (1954 World Cup qualifiers)

Quick Facts

Spain are after their fourth consecutive win over Turkey

Under 2.5 goals were scored in three of last four meetings between Turkey and Spain

La Roja managed to keep a clean sheet in previous four games at Euro finals

Turkey recorded their last win over Spain back in 1954

Andres Iniesta earned his 110th cap for Spain against Czech Republic

Possible XI

Spain: (4-3-3) De Gea – Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba – Fabregas, Busquet, Iniesta – Silva, Morata, Nolito

Turkey: (4-1-4-1) Babacan – Gonul, Topal, Balta, Erkin – Inan – Calhanoglu, O Tufan, Ozyakup, Turan – Tosun

how j

Bread and butter for spain

DE GEA all the way!!!!

Forza espana! Forza laliga!......forza barca

Spain all the way, go DE gea and Sergio ramos

Boda Ramos make me proud oooooo!!!That scammer up there your Juju don expire 4 nairaland carry your Oriburuku go elsewhere.

1-1 full time draw

Last game for my ticket to enter

;DOluwa don do am

Morata to score 90+2 mins

underscore 4.5
final result.
260...it halve goal
over 1.5 at 90 min.
3...home or away
European handicap. ..2-0 ,for turkey

Turkey ll win diz match

Ola! Espagne.

My heart goes out to the underdogs but this Spain na UEFA baby so extra time goal loading for them.

aieromon:
My heart goes out to the underdogs but this Spain na UEFA baby so extra time goal loading for them.

me too

aieromon

biko what is our unku ramos always looking up for during their anthem ?

that ball up in space?

GAME ON!

mukina2:
aieromon

biko what is our unku ramos always looking up for during their anthem ?

that ball up in space?

Your brother has collected MTN on your behalf

See as Busquets fall on top small push....

No goal yet


Abeg spain chop dat turkey joor

mytime24:
No goal yet


Abeg spain chop dat turkey joor

Second half tinz. Most first half end goalless in this tournament

femi4:
Second half tinz. Most first half end goalless in this tournament

ok oooo, hope say spain no go f. Uck up with draw ooo

seethis turkish player no respect for sergio ramos . . how cna he ramos the ball with him being inside

Turkey... I dey unu back.. Make unu no fall my hand..

Morata scores

GOAAL

MORATA!

Goooool


Spain don chop two turkey

Nolito scores

Its all over

Turkey don fall my third leg ..two goals in three mins

2-0.
Iniesta's jersey was pulled while running, he then stops, looks at the referee and asks "how far", the ref now blows his whistle for foul against Turkey ... man pass man be that

aieromon:
Nolito scores

Its all over