Fernando Torres made his 60th appearance for his country as Spain defeated Turkey 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. A Pique goal in the second-half was enough to separate the two teams as the European Champions moved one step closer to qualifying for South Africa 2010.

The Spain number ‘9’, who played for all but two minutes of his country’s win, became only the 14th Spanish footballer to represent his country on 60 occasions. This achievement is even more impressive as the 25 year old also became the youngest player to reach this milestone.

The home side were slow out of the blocks as Turkey surprised the hosts with a couple of good chances early on. Nihat had a dipping shot tipped around the post by Iker Casillas, and the Spanish shot-stopper had to be alert to beat away a left-footed effort from Senturk two minutes later.

Fernando Torres was looking lively up-front as the striker almost carved out a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing. The forward brilliantly turned two markers, but a third defender got across in time to block the Spaniard’s run.

Spain were having trouble finding their feet as Fatih Terem’s men pressured well. Chances were few and far between as the hosts failed to find a way past Turkey’s resilient backline.

Fernando Torres had Spain’s only effort on target of the first-half five minutes before the break. The striker fired in a snap-shot from the edge of the area but the Turkish keeper pulled off an excellent save at full stretch.

The European Champions began the second half with more determination as Torres look to be clear on goal after breaking the offside trap. The man in black though blew his whistle for offside after the linesman raised his flag. An unfortunate error of judgement from the referee’s assistant.

Turkey quickly replied at the other end as Tuncay unleashed a drive from a tight angle that flew just over Casillas’ crossbar.

Spain finally achieved the breakthrough fifteen minutes into the second-half. The referee blew for a foul on Torres after the forward had robbed a Turkish defender of the ball. Xavi swung over the resulting free-kick which was met by Ramos in the Turkey area, the defender’s header bounced kindly for Pique, who poked the ball across the line at the back post.

On 63 minutes coach Vicente Del Bosque decided to bring on Mata to replace David Villa. The substitution meant a slight reshuffle in Spain’s attacking line-up with Cazorla moving out to the right, Mata playing on the left-hand side, and Fernando Torres as the lone striker.

Pique’s goal seemed to unsettle the Turks who had played well until Spain’s opener. The hosts started spraying the ball around at ease as the visitors looked all at sea.

Xabi Alonso had an effort well-saved by Volkan Demirel in the Turkey goal and Silva blasted a shot just over moments later as Spain pressed for a second.

Vicente Del Bosque made his final substitution two minutes from time as Athletic Bilbao’s Llorente replaced Fernando Torres.

Spain came close to doubling their lead with late efforts from Ramos and Mata. The score however remained unchanged as the reigning European Champions held on for a vital three points.

The victory leaves Spain top of the group with 15 points, ahead of second-placed Bosnia, who have nine points. Spain will meet third-placed Turkey again in four days time in Istanbul in what will be both team’s fifth qualifier of Group 5.


- 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


Photo: Pablo García