Spain put in a stellar performance to annihilate Turkey in their second match of Group D of the UEFA Euro 2016. Vicente del Bosque’s side secured a 3-0 win to ensure qualification for the knockout rounds of the tournament, having already won the first game 1-0.
Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for La Furia Roja when he headed home Nolito’s cross, before the 29-year-old opened his account at the Euros with a first time finish. Morata then added to his tally when he bundled home into the empty net from Jordi Alba’s cut back to help Spain take an unassailable 3 goal lead.
Here are how the players fared during the game.
Spain
David De Gea – 6/10
The Manchester United man had a quiet night between the sticks as he recorded another clean sheet without having to make a single save.
Juanfran – 6.5/10
Marauded up and down the right flank providing width to the team. He linked up well with Silva and was a constant threat with his pinpoint crosses.
Sergio Ramos – 6/10
The Real Madrid defender didn’t have much work to do but was solid when called into action.
Gerard Pique – 6.5/10
Was instrumental in diminishing the threat of Burak Yilmaz and also chipped in with a couple of brilliant clearances. Was also a potent threat from set-pieces.
Jordi Alba – 7.5/10
Set up Morata for Spain’s third goal, having burst through the Turkish defence before setting up the Juventus striker. Alba helped provide width to Vicente del Bosque’s side on the left flank and worked tirelessly down the left flank.
Sergio Busquets – 6.5/10
The Barcelona man shielded the back four with aplomb and denied the Turkish midfielders the space to create any sort of problems. His link-up play with more creative players was also up to the mark.
Andres Iniesta – 8.5/10
The diminutive Spaniard was phenomenal on the night and dinked a lovely ball over the top for Alba in the build up to Spain’s third goal. Didn’t put a foot wrong and orchestrated the game brilliantly.
Cesc Fabregas – 7/10
The Chelsea midfielder didn’t have the same impact as Iniesta, but was composed on the ball and provided good through balls behind the Turkish defence.
David Silva – 6/10
Failed to have the same impact on the game as some of his team-mates but helped Spain get out of tricky situations with his excellent ball control. The Manchester City man registered a number of shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Nolito – 8.5/10
The Celta Vigo winger had a brilliant game on the left flank and after a dismal showing in the first game justified his selection ahead of Pedro. Nolito first set up Morata’s opener with a pinpoint cross, before getting on the scoresheet bundling home Topal’s atrocious header.
Alvaro Morata – 8.5/10
The Juventus man was clinical in front of goal and the two goals he bagged are testament of that. Spain’s search for an elite forward to lead their supremely talented midfield might finally come to an end if the 23-year-old can produce such performances consistently.
Substitutes
Bruno Soriano – 6/10
Came on to replace David Silva in the 64th minute and didn’t have much to do with the win all but sealed for Spain. He did force Babacan to make a save from a rasping drive from range.
Koke – N/A
Replaced Fabregas in the 71st minute, but didn’t have much impact on the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta – NA
Came on as an 81st minute substitute for Alba and didn’t have time to have a telling impact on the game.
Turkey
Volkan Babacan – 6.5/10
Pulled off some excellent saves to keep the scoreline from getting embarrassing. Was let down by a fragile defence on more occasions than one.
Gokhan Gonul – 5.5/10
Was kept occupied by Nolito for the entire game, with the Spanish winger getting the better of him time and again. Did offer an extra body in attack, if and when Turkey attacked.
Mehmet Topal – 4.5/10
Was at fault for Spain’s second goal as his awkward headed clearance found Nolito, who bundled home from six yards out. Topal was poor for most parts of the match and looked out of sorts against a rampaging Spanish side.
Hakan Balta – 5/10
Failed to deal with the aerial threat of Spain and struggled to keep Morata and company at bay.
Caner Erkin – 5.5/10
The 27-year-old lacked the support on the left flank and was tormented by Juanfran and Silva. He did burst forward on few occasions but was let down by his crossing.
Ozan Tufan – 5.5/10
Tried to shield the back four, but failed to restrict the Spanish midfield from asserting their brilliance. Worked tirelessly but was not that effective with the ball.
Selcuk Inan – 5/10
Iniesta on his day can be too good for any player in the world, and Inan realised just that. Did try his level best to protect the back line but couldn’t restrict the Barcelona man from unlocking the defence time and again.
Oguzhan Ozyakup – 5.5/10
Struggled with his positioning but did play some teasing balls forward before being replaced in the 62nd minute.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 4.5/10
The Bayer Leverkusen man didn’t have the impact Turkey would have hoped for. Was substituted at half-time to be rested ahead of the final game.
Arda Turan – 3/10
The captain failed to lift his side to mount a comeback against an on-song Spanish side. Turan shunned his defensive duties and made the team susceptible to be penetrated by La Furia Roja, while also offering not much of note in attack.
Burak Yilmaz – 5.5/10
The former Galatasaray man was relentless with his work-rate and made numerous runs forward but lacked the quality to make a real difference on the game.
Substitutes
Nuri Sahin – 4.5/10
Replaced Calhanoglu at half-time but had no significant impact on the game.
Olcay Sahan – N/A
Came on to replace Ozyakup in the 62nd minute and threatened the Spaniards on a few occasions.
Yunus Malli – N/A
Replaced Inan in the 70th minute but failed to have a telling impact on the game.
