Spain's national team drew 2-2 with Turkey at La Cartuja in Seville, securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup and equaling Italy's record of 31 unbeaten matches. Dani Olmo scored early, but the Turks briefly took the lead before Mikel Oyarzabal equalized. Coach Luis de la Fuente warned of the challenges in winning despite the historic streak.
The November 18, 2025, match at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium was Spain's final qualifier, with qualification already secured but aiming to finish unbeaten and without conceding. With nothing at stake, coach Luis de la Fuente rotated the squad, giving minutes to players like Dani Olmo, Marcos Llorente, Aleix García, and Yeremy Pino, while resting key pieces like Martín Zubimendi and Pedro Porro due to uncertainties with Rodri and Dani Carvajal.
Olmo, who had lost prominence due to injuries and limited national team minutes, revived with a goal in the 4th minute, his 12th for Spain since debuting in 2019 and the first since the Euros. He capitalized on a Marc Cucurella cross after an Aleix García pass. Spain dominated the first half, creating numerous chances, but relaxed and conceded the phase's first goal from a corner, scored by Ayhan Gül, halting the wave in the half-empty stands.
In the second half, Turkey, led by Vincenzo Montella with eight changes to focus on playoffs, grew bold. Burak Yilmaz tested Unai Simón with a bicycle kick, and Mert Özcan extended the lead with a long-range right-foot shot, making it 1-2 for the first time in qualifiers. Spain, unbeaten at home in World Cup qualifiers for 32 years, responded quickly: Cucurella assisted Yeremy Pino, whose shot rebounded for Mikel Oyarzabal to equalize eight minutes later.
"They reminded us how hard it is to win and stay at our level," said De la Fuente, annoyed by a gesture toward the fourth official he claimed not to have noticed. "We have 31 matches without losing and we're in the World Cup. Though it may not seem so, I'm very happy." Olmo regretted not scoring more: "In the first half we could have scored more goals. We need to improve on set pieces." Focus shifts to the December 5 draw in Washington, where Spain will be in Pot 1 with Argentina, France, and England, and the March Finalissima against Argentina in Doha.
The draw averted an absurd scare but tempered euphoria in a chilly stadium. Spain joins France, Netherlands, and others in unbeaten qualifications, dreaming of the perfect record only Norway and England achieved.
