\n<\/p>\n
“It’s a bittersweet feeling, but we’re happy to have qualified for the World Cup.<\/p>\n
“We could have scored a few more goals. We need to improve on set-pieces.”<\/p>\n
Second-placed Turkey needed to win by a seven-goal margin against the European champions to top the group.<\/p>\n
While they showed tremendous spirit and fight, they had to settle for a play-off spot in March, where their first opponents will be either Northern Ireland, Sweden, Romania or Northern Macedonia.<\/p>\n
Spain’s unbeaten run consists of 25 wins and six draws. Their last defeat was a 2-0 loss in a European Championship qualifier to Scotland in March 2023, before going on to win that trophy. <\/p>\n
Olmo gave Spain the lead against Turkey when he squeezed the ball home from Marc Cucurella’s cut-back to score his 12th international goal on his first start since March.<\/p>\n
But they conceded a first goal of their campaign when Deniz Gul guided the ball past Unai Simon to equalise.<\/p>\n
Turkey went ahead on 54 minutes, Salih Ozcan powering a neat effort into the bottom left corner.<\/p>\n
But in-form forward Mikel Oyarzabal restored parity with his sixth goal of qualifying, prodding home the rebound after Yeremy Pino’s effort was cleared off the line.<\/p>\n
Olmo had chances to double Spain’s lead in the first half but was denied by two good saves from Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.<\/p>\n
Baris Yilmaz’s acrobatic overhead kick forced a superb save from Simon with the game finely poised at 1-1.<\/p>\n
The result means only England will end the European World Cup qualifiers having not conceded a goal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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