Spain collected their first ever victory in Istanbul as they fought back from a goal down to beat Turkey 2-1 at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Second-half goals from Liverpool duo Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera earned the European Champions all three points as Vicente Del Bosque’s team strengthened their hold on top spot in Group 5.

Fernando Torres played for 85 minutes of the clash at Istanbul, and it was the striker’s header that provoked the penalty from which Spain drew level. The forward deserved to get on the scoresheet himself, but an inspired Volkan produced a magnificent save midway through the second-half to deny the Spaniard.

Fatih Terem decided to start the Group 5 clash with the same starting eleven used in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vicente Del Bosque made changes to his team, playing an extra-man in midfield, thus leaving Torres as the only striker.

Spain struggled to get a hold of the ball and settle things down as Turkey controlled possession in the opening stages. The home side however rarely troubled the European Champions who weathered the early storm.

It was Vicente Del Bosque’s side who produced the game’s first effort on target as Riera forced Volkan into a good save.

The Turkey goalkeeper was again the saviour as Fernando Torres fired a shot low and hard towards goal. The striker’s drilled effort was well gathered by Volkan.

Both sets of players were having trouble getting to grips with the playing surface as the long grass made the simplest of passes a difficult task.

Fatih Terem’s side grabbed the lead in the 26th minute as Senturk stroked the ball over line from two yards out. Two Turkey players broke the Spain off-side trap and there was little Casillas could do as Tuncay squared for an un-marked Senturk to score.

Spain gradually worked their way into the game following the break but it was Turkey who threatened to score a second. Nihat had a great chance to double the home side’s lead five minutes into the second-half, but luckily for Spain, the Villarreal striker smashed his effort over the bar.

With 61 minutes on the clock Uzulmez handled Torres’ goalbound header. The Turkey defence was all at sea as forward looked certain to equalise for Spain. The ball however struck the defender’s raised arm. Xabi Alonso calmly stepped up to score his fourth goal for Spain, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Volkan produced the save of the game to deny Torres in the 73rd minute. The striker’s shot from a Cazorla pass looked destined for the top corner, but the Turkish shotstopper flew across goal to brilliantly push Fernando’s drive over the bar.

With just under five minutes remaining Vicente Del Bosque brought on Dani Guiza for Fernando Torres. The Liverpool forward had worked tirelessly upfront, often battling against the Turkey back four single-handedly.

In the final stages there were chances at both ends. But just when the game looked like ending in a stalemate, up-popped Albert Riera in stoppage time to slide the ball past Volkan following some good work by Guiza out on the right-hand side.


- Match Stats: Spain 2-1 Turkey

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Marchena, Pique, Capdevilla, Senna (Cazorla, 67), Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Silva (Busquets, 74), Riera, Torres (Guiza, 86)

Booked: Xavi, Ramos

Goals: Xabi Alonso 63 (pen), Riera 90

Turkey: Volkan Demirel, Gonul, Uzulmez, Emre, Hakan Balta, Mehmet Aurelio, Emre Belozoglu, Tuncay, Turan (Sahin, 87), Senturk (Sabri, 80), Nihat (Karadeniz, 77)

Booked: Senturk, Emre Belozoglu, Uzulmez, Emre,

Goals: Senturk 26