Spain beats Turkey 1-0 in Group 5

Gerard Pique scored a second-half goal Saturday to lead the Spanish over Turkey 1-0 and give the European champions a six-point lead at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Pique, a Barcelona defender who was making only his second international appearance, was perfectly placed in the 61st minute to score from Sergio Ramos’ mishit as Spain, which stretched its unbeaten run to 30 games, stayed perfect in Group 5 with 15 points.

Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Belgium 4-2 earlier to move into second place with nine points, while Turkey lands in the third spot with eight points following its first loss in five qualifying games.

Turkey’s constant pressure troubled Spain for the first hour until Ramos put Xavi’s free kick across the face of the goal and straight to Pique to shoot at the near post with Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel bundling it in.

The two teams meet for another clash again this upcoming Wednesday in Istanbul. Turkey has had the unfortunate luck of not being able to beat Spain in the last 55 years, but looked eager to end the drought in front of nearly 80,000 spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Nihat Kahveci, making his first competitive appearance since last year’s European Championship, was played clear into the area by Tuncay Sanli but rolled his shot wide across the face of goal with Spain’s center backs caught out by the Turkish rush.

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who moved into third all-time with his 90th appearance for Spain, dove to push Nihat’s half-volley out two minutes later after Tuncay had played the Turkey striker into the area again.

Andres Iniesta’s absence was noted early as Spain failed to spark offensively under the constant pressure. Tuncay again set Nihat up in the 25th but Spain cleared the threat and seemed to gain composure as Xavi, who uncharacteristically turned the ball over repeatedly, saw a goal waived away for offside four minutes later.

David Villa nearly headed Spain in front in the 35th following an impressive buildup but, just as Spain looked in control, Tuncay again nearly delivered with Arda Turan’s poor touch wasting a great chance in the 43rd minute. Moments later, Volkan Demirel got a hand out to push Fernando Torres’ rising drive out. Tuncay volleyed past Casillas but over goal in the 51st.

Valencia pair Juanma Mata and David Silva’s entrance late in the second half opened up Spain’s game and Silva’s rising shot skimmed over the crossbar in the 85th. Volkan managed a reaction save to Xabi Alonso’s powerful volley moments later as Spain won its 20th straight when counting a penalty shootout victory over Italy at Euro 2008.

- Match Stats: Spain 1-0 Turkey

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Albiol, Pique, Capdevilla, Senna, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Cazorla (Silva, 78), Villa (Mata, 64), Torres (Llorente, 88)

Goals: Pique 60′

Turkey: Volkan Demirel, Gonul, Uzulmez, Emre, Hakan Balta, Mehmet Aurelio, Emre Belozoglu (Sabri, 83), Tuncay, Turan (Gungor, 78), Senturk (Akman, 57), Nihat

Written by: Diana

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