Spain’s Dominance in World Football
During the recent international break in September, as many elite national teams were grappling with doubts and frustrations, Spain decisively showcased their talents with a stunning 6-0 victory over Turkey in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. This dominating performance emphatically reestablished Spain as a powerhouse in football, reminding fans and critics alike of their status as European champions and a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
Match Highlights
In this match, Italy’s Vincenzo Montella faced a reality check, as his squad not only became victims of a heavy defeat but also endured a remarkable performance where Spain’s fluid attacking style shone brightly. The Turkish team, which had not lost by such a margin at home in over four decades, faced a relentless Spanish attack. Remarkably, the Turkish goalkeeper, Ugurcan Çakır, emerged as his team’s standout performer despite the lopsided scoreline.
Spain’s head coach, Luis De La Fuente, fielded a team that was missing six key players from the squad that won the European Championship just months ago. Yet, the team’s second goal was a product of an extraordinary 75 seconds of uninterrupted possession, involving 25 passes and 66 touches—illustrating the seamless cooperation and skill within the squad. As anticipation builds for the World Cup, Spain is showing that they remain one of the most thrilling and formidable teams in football.
Mixed Results for Other Teams
In stark contrast, other major teams experienced mixed results. Germany suffered an unprecedented away defeat against Slovakia, marking the first time in 56 World Cup qualifying matches that they lost outside of home turf. Meanwhile, England’s narrow win (2-0) over Andorra, ranked 174th in the world, failed to excite their supporters, while the Netherlands narrowly triumphed over Lithuania. Croatia managed to edge past the Faroe Islands, and even Italy bounced back decisively with a 5-0 win over Estonia after sacking their coach following a loss to Norway.
Global Football Landscape
Across the Atlantic, World Cup champions Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory against Venezuela, but a controversy erupted off the field as Lionel Messi hinted uncertainty about his participation in next year’s tournament. Brazil also claimed a straightforward 3-0 win against Chile but faced challenges, including appointing an internationally-based coaching staff for the first time in their history. Neymar’s exclusion from the lineup has only added to the ongoing tension.
Asian football is buzzing too, with Japan becoming the first nation to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, remarkably performing well against Mexico and poised to continue their winning momentum against the United States.
Spain’s Future Prospects
Returning to Spain, their commanding performance against Turkey could have easily been a double-digit victory. With thrilling ball movement and high intensity, players like Pedri emerged as standouts, demonstrating that he is running hot just as Lamine Yamal, who will soon make history as the youngest player to earn a podium finish in the Ballon d’Or voting. While Yamal has been somewhat inconsistent at Barcelona, his form has dramatically improved on international duty. With mentorship from seasoned players like Rodri, who have acknowledged Yamal’s potential, he is clearly thriving.
Spain’s run continues as they remain two matches away from equaling an impressive undefeated streak in competitive matches, demonstrating that they are in formidable form leading into the World Cup next summer. Their captivating style of play not only makes them a joy to watch but also positions them as one of the favorites for glory in the upcoming tournament.
