WCQ: Spain's six for a masterclass in Turkey, Germany late ignition

Spain look magical in these qualifiers and are already being counted among the favorites for the World Cup title. On the other hand, Germany haven’t been too convincing, but the qualifiers are still far from over.

The match opened at a frantic pace. In just the 2nd minute, Ismail Yuksek tested Unai Simon with a low shot toward the bottom corner, but the Spanish goalkeeper reacted brilliantly. Spain immediately hit back—Nico Williams forced an excellent save from Cakir in the 5th minute, and moments later Pedri also threatened.

It didn’t take long for Spain to break through. In the 6th minute, Pedri capitalized on a defensive lapse from Hakan Calhanoglu, drilling a strike from outside the box to silence the home crowd and put La Roja 1–0 up. The goal is HERE!

Turkey nearly responded two minutes later when Ferdi Kadıoglu set up Umut Meras Elmali, whose effort flashed just wide. But Spain continued to dominate. Cakir had to be at his best again to deny chances from a corner in the 12th minute and then a dazzling solo run by Lamine Yamal in the 14th.

The second GOAL arrived in the 22nd minute after a brilliant team move: Cucurella started the attack down the flank, Williams linked with Oyarzabal, and Mikel Merino applied the clinical finish to double Spain’s advantage.

Turkey tried to hit back quickly—Kenan Yildiz stung the gloves of Simon in the 24th minute—but Spain’s young star Yamal almost killed the contest moments later, only to fire over from a promising position. Williams also went close in the 36th minute, dragging his shot wide of the post.

Just before the interval, Spain struck again. In first-half stoppage time, Pedri turned provider, slipping a pass to Merino, who coolly beat Cakir for his second of the night and Spain’s third. The goal is HERE!

If Spain’s first half had been impressive, their second half was simply devastating. Luis de la Fuente’s men tore through Turkey’s defense with ease, piling on three more goals to secure a resounding victory.

The warning signs came early in the half. In the 50th minute, Ferran Torres created space for himself and fired low toward the bottom corner, but Ugurcan Cakir produced another fine save to keep the score at three.

Three minutes later, there was nothing the Turkish goalkeeper could do. Spain broke with breathtaking speed—Pedri carried the ball through midfield, slipped it to Lamine Yamal, and the youngster squared perfectly for Torres to tap home for 4–0. The goal is HERE!

By the 57th minute, the game had completely unraveled for Turkey. Mikel Merino, already on a brace from the first half, strode forward unchallenged from distance and unleashed a powerful shot into the net to complete his hat-trick, making it 5–0. This is the GOAL!

The Spanish onslaught continued in the 62nd minute. Another rapid counterattack saw Oyarzabal deliver a clever assist for Pedri, who calmly beat Cakir one-on-one to extend the lead to 6–0 and seal his own brace. Goal is HERE!

Germany - N. Ireland 3-1 (1-1)

The opening 45 minutes in Frankfurt delivered plenty of drama as Germany and Northern Ireland went into the break level at 1–1.

Germany made the perfect start, striking in the 7th minute. Nick Woltemade delivered a sharp ball into the box, where Serge Gnabry showed his class. Spotting goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell off his line, the Bayern Munich forward produced a delightful lob to give the hosts an early LEAD.

Northern Ireland weathered the German pressure and stunned the crowd in the 34th minute. Justin Devenny sent in a pinpoint cross from deep, which Isaac Price controlled superbly with his first touch before smashing his shot under the crossbar to equalize at 1–1. The goal is HERE!

Germany thought they had restored their lead just before halftime when David Raum found the net in stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Host team came out strong after the break, determined to reclaim control following a balanced first half. They steadily built momentum with wave after wave of attacks.

In the 59th minute, Jamie Leweling showed great pace and skill to beat his marker, but his finish from the edge of the box lacked precision, drifting wide of the left post. Just five minutes later, defender Waldemar Anton rose highest inside the area to meet a dangerous free-kick delivery, only to see his header sail narrowly over the crossbar.

The pressure eventually paid off. In the 68th minute, Florian Wirtz found himself completely unmarked on the end of a fine long pass, but his shot straight at the goalkeeper was comfortably saved. That missed chance was quickly forgotten, though—just a minute later, Germany struck. David Raum delivered a perfect ball into the box, and Nadiem Amiri finished smartly into the bottom-right corner to restore Germany’s LEAD at 2–1.

Only three minutes later, the hosts extended their advantage with a moment of brilliance. Wirtz, who had been lively throughout, curled a stunning free-kick into the top-left corner in the 72nd minute, leaving Peacock-Farrell with no chance. The goal is HERE!

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Sunday

Georgia - Bulgaria 3-0 (2-0)

/Kvaratskhelia 30, Gagnidze 44, Mikautadze 65/

Lithuania - Netherlands 2-3 (2-2)

/Gineitis 36, Girdvainis 43 - Timber 33, Depay 11, 63/

Macedonia - Liechtenstein 5-0 (1-0)

/Elmas 15, Bardhi 52, Churlinov 56, Qamili 82, Stankovski 90/

Belgium - Kazakhstan 6-0 (2-0)

/De Bruyne 42, 84, Doku 44, 60, Raskin 51, Meunier 87/

Germany - N. Ireland 3-1 (1-1)

/Gnabry 7, Amiri 69, Wirtz 72 - Price 34/

Luxembourg - Slovakia 0-1 (0-0)

/Rigo 90/

Poland - Finland 3-1 (2-0)

/Cash 27, Lewandowski 45+2, Kaminski 54 - Kallman 88/

Turkey - Spain 0-6 (0-3)

/Pedri 6, 62, Merino 22, 45+1, 57, Torres 53/