Euro 2016: Spain vs Turkey

FT: That was a walk in the park for Spanish, Spain are through to the round of 16.

88': The game has petered out in the last ten minutes or so, especially with all the substitutions made, and the Spanish have just tried to keep the ball and kill the game.

87': HUGE CHANCE for Turkey, Sahan fluffs his lines with Azpilicueta and De Gea to beat.

81': The game has dampened down in the last few minutes, Turkey are pushing for a consolation, and there has been little from Spain in an attacking sense in the last few minutes.

76': Turkey have had a few more chances in the second half, as Spain have taken the foot off the gas, but haven't been able to make the most of the opportunities.

72': A brilliant turn by Iniesta near the centre circle, his indibidual highlights for the game will be a treat to watch.

67': Its mostly damage limitation from Turkey now, they have two banks of four behind the ball almost at all times. Spain still cut through the Turkish backline whnever they want to.

63': Freekick for Spain from around 30 yards out, Ramos takes it, staright at the Turkish wall.

63': Silva is coming off for Bruno.

60': CHANCE! Patient build up play from Spain, who gradually get to the edge of the box via Iniesta, who gives it ti Fabregas, he finds Janfran on the right, who pulls it back for Silva, his shot is blocked by Balta.

56': Nolito with a briliant nutmeg at the edge of the Turkish box, but is dispossed when he tries to drag back and turn on the ball.

54': Freekick for Turkey from a promising area, taken by Inan, Pique heads the ball clear. Spain look comfortable here.

51': HUGE CHANCE for Yılmaz, who skies his left footed shot into the stands.

49': Exhibition stuff from Iniesta, who picks out another brilliant ball for Morata over the top of the Turkish backline. Morana tries to head the ball into the far post for his hat-trick, just goes beyond the farpost.

48': GOAL! 3-0 to Spain. Iniesta with a sublime through ball for Alba (who appered to be offside), who squares the ball for Morata who slots the ball home.

45': Turkey start the second half, but Spain already have the ball. Iniesta with a sublime touch to get the ball over his marker.

HT: Spain have completely dominated from 10 minutes onwards or so, and after they got the first goal, Turkey have tried to push more bodies forward leading to more space for the Spanish midfielders. This can turn into a proper rollicking if it keeps going this way.

44': Some strange decisions on the ball by the Spanish players in the last few minutes, it's almost like they don't want to counter and score another one.

41': Spain have brough the game down to walking pace, but still creating chances.

39': CHANCE! Spain almost get another, Nolito with a freekick near the corner flag, Nolito with a low cross to Silva who makes a brilliant third man run can't connect as well as he would have wanted to, one from the training this.

36': GOAL! Nolito this time, again brilliant build up play from Spain, Morata holds up the ball, Fabregas tries to scoop the ball to Nolito, Topal gets an head to it but skies it to Nolito's path who slots the volley into the bottom left corner.

33': GOAL! Alvaro Morato, with a brilliant glancing header, from a great cross from Nolito. Spain deserved it, playing some great football in the last ten minutes.

31': Brilliant build up play, Silva comes inside from the right and picks a sublime through ball for Juanfran on the right, who puts a low cross for Nolito who cannot get good contact on the ball under pressure from Topal.

29': Busquets getting too much time and space to pick his passes, he almost pics out a brilliant dink for Fabregas, just over his head, Fabregas tries to knock it back but cleared by Turkey.

28': Nolito with a brilliant curling effort from just outside the box after patient build-up play frm Spain, goes narrowly wide.

24': Freekick on the edge of the Spanish box, this will be Çalhanoğlu vs David De Gea, Çalhanoğlu whips it, marginally over the crossbar, but De Gea looked like he had it covered.

21': A great counter for Turkey, Turan gets the ball to Çalhanoğlu who reverses the ball to Yılmaz who's marginally offside.

20': Tufan with a challenge on Iniesta, who seems to be in quite a bit of pain.

18': Turkey and Spain take turns in keeping some sterile possession in the last minute or so, the game has mostly been stop-start till now.

13': Turkey are playing a high energy game, trying to press as high as possible, it hasn't worked yet, and the Spanish midfielders are getting too much space outside the box.

11': Chance(s) for Spain, Alvaro Morata tries to deflect the ball goalwards but well defended by Erkin. Pique has a chance to head home from the resulting corner, but his downward header goes over the bar.

8': A flaying arm by Yılmaz, Busquets makes the most of the contact, Yılmaz is booked.

6': Morata with the first shot of the match, Babacan pushes it away. Corner for Spain, nothing comes of the corner, Turkey try to counter but are caught offside in the final third.

3': Turkey appear to be pressing the Spanish higher up the pitch, but Spain beat the press easily, and go to the final third.

1': Spain kick-off the game. Sergio Ramos booked in the first minute itself, a heavy first touch allowed Burak to pinch the ball, Ramos clinically fouls him to halt the attack.

The pre-match formalities are done, Spain in their traditional red kit, Turkey in sky blue kit.

Spain go with the same lineup, lucky Morata, I had a feeling that he would get hooked after his anonymous performance in the last game.

Turkey XI vs Spain (4-2-3-1 formation): Volkan; Gokhan, Topal, Balta, Caner; Oguzhan, Tufan; Selcuk, Calhanoglu, Turan; Burak;

Spain XI vs Turkey (4-3-3 formation): De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito

The starting line-ups are out.

Spain vs Turkey Preview

Spain might have struggled to break down the Czech defence but importantly they got the three points, as reiterated by Del Bosque "The important thing is that we got the three points in the first game, and we need to prepare for this game without being distracted by the first one".

But, the Spanish have to be worried, teams seemed to have figured out the formula to play against them, and the absence of a world class striker (sorry Morata), seems to be affecting them. But, on paper, they are still one of the strongest squads in the competition.

Turkey touted as many as the dark horses of the competition, played well below their promise against Croatia. But, with the third place finish much more than just 'on', they will have to get something from this game. It will be important for them to use the industry and the creativity they have in midfield to their advantage, when they have the ball.

Spain vs Turkey Live Stream and Kick-off

Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice
Kick-off time: 18th June, 12:30 am IST
Live Stream: Sony Liv (http://www.sonyliv.com/)

Euro 2016: Spain vs Turkey - Live