Spain remains flawless, Turkey is just staying in the slipstream despite a resounding victory: things are sorting out in World Cup qualifying group E.
European champions Spain missed countless chances against Georgia and won 2-0 (1-0) in the end, the Turks scored 6-1 (1-1) in Bulgaria, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Can Uzun also played – but the team can hardly hope for a direct ticket to the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Because Spain leads the group of four with nine points from three games, only the first team qualifies directly for the World Cup. Second place entitles you to take part in the playoffs, which is held by Türkiye (6 points). They are followed by Georgia (3) and Bulgaria (0).
The Turks lost the home game against Spain 6-0 in September.
Yildiz and Co. turn up the heat after the break
Yeremi Pino (24th) and Mikel Oyarzabal (64th) scored for Spain against Georgians with no chance, Turkey only made it clear in the second half: The young stars Arda Güler (11th) and Kenan Yildiz (51st/56th) scored, Mehmet Celik (65th) and Irfan Can Kahveci (90th + 3) were also successful, plus one Own goal by Viktor Popow (49th).
Radoslaw Kirilov (13th) had equalized for Bulgaria in the first half. Frankfurt’s shooting star Uzun came on as a substitute in the 69th minute, but still has to wait for his first international goal.