European champions Spain faced Turkey in Group D on Friday night knowing that three points would book their spot in the knockout round of Euro 2016.
At the interval, Vicente del Bosque's side led 2-0 courtesy of goals from Alvaro Morata and Nolito.
The holders had a third early in the second period when Morata finished from close range and that was how it finished in Nice as La Roja breezed into the round of 16.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.01pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Nice as Spain take on Turkey in Group D. Spain opened their challenge with a 1-0 win over Czech Republic on Monday and as a result, would advance into the round of 16 with another success here. As for Turkey, they were beaten 1-0 by an impressive Croatia team on Sunday afternoon. Let's hope for an entertaining game tonight!
7.04pmRESULT! Croatia have just drawn 2-2 with Czech Republic in Group D. Croatia were cruising at 2-0 and looked to be heading for the knockout round, but the Czechs scored a stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot after the match had been stopped due to crowd trouble. Flares were thrown onto the field and fireworks were also present in extremely ugly scenes. At that point, Croatia were still 2-1 ahead, but Tomas Necid scored in the 93rd minute to throw the group wide open.
7.07pmTonight will be the 11th meeting between Spain and Turkey in international football. Spain have won five of their previous 10 and only been beaten on one occasion, which was during qualification for the 1954 World Cup. Their last clash was during qualification for the 2010 World Cup and Spain recorded a 2-1 victory in Istanbul, in addition to winning 1-0 in Madrid. The statistics favour Spain!
7.10pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Nice. Has either manager made any changes from their opening Group D fixtures? Let's see!
7.13pmTEAMS!
ESP: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito
TUR: Babacan; Gonul, Topal, Balta, Erkin; Tufan, Inan, Ozyakup; Calhanoglu, Yilmaz, Turan
7.16pmAs expected, Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has named the same team that started their 1-0 win over Czech Republic on Monday afternoon. Gerard Pique, who scored the winner, starts alongside Sergio Ramos in central defence, while Nolito and David Silva will once again join Alvaro Morata in the final third. Cesc Fabregas continues to keep out Koke in the middle of the Spanish midfield.
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7.19pmAs for Turkey, head coach Fatih Terim has made one change from the team that lost 1-0 to Croatia in their group opener. The alteration comes at centre-forward as Burak Yilmaz, who has 20 international goals to his name, replaces Cenk Tosun. Arda Turan skippers the team from the left side of the attack and Hakan Calhanoglu will operate on the opposite side for the Turks tonight.
7.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Nice. I shall speak about Turkey and their credentials a little bit later, but let's start with the reigning champions Spain, who would secure their passage into the round of 16 with another win tonight, but they will have to battle Croatia for the right to finish top of Group D.
7.25pmSpain were not at their best against Czech Republic on Monday afternoon, but a Gerard Pique header in the 87th minute ensured that Vicente del Bosque's side would start with a win. They might have failed to make it out of the group stages at the 2014 World Cup, but three points here would secure their spot in the next round. In all honesty, they could lose their next two and still make the round of 16 due to the new ruling allowing four third-placed teams to make it through.
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7.28pmSpain landed their first European Championship crown in 1964, but did not qualify for the finals in 1968, 1972 or 1976. They then finished as runners-up in 1984, but dropped out of the group stages in 1988 and 2004. Between 1968 and 2004, Spain's European Championship record was pretty average, but they won both the 2008 and 2012 editions and are seeking a third straight down in France.
7.32pmAt Euro 2012, Spain thumped Italy 4-0 in the final to claim the crown having beaten Iberian rivals Portugal in the semi-finals. Del Bosque's actually side lost their second qualification match for Euro 2016, but secured their spot in the finals after finishing top of Group C on 27 points – scoring 23 times in the process and only conceding three. The atmosphere is building inside the stadium here!
7.35pmIncredibly, Spain have not actually lost a game at the finals of a European Championship since June 2004, when they were beaten by Portugal. This has been their competition in recent years and it will take a strong team to stop them claiming a third straight crown. That said, the likes of France and Germany will surely have something to say about that. It seems to be a very open competition.
© AFP
7.38pmAs for Turkey, Terim's side were beaten 1-0 by Croatia in their Group D opener last weekend. In truth, there was not much between the two teams, but a wonderful strike from Luka Modric secured all the points for Croatia, who drew 2-2 earlier this evening. Turkey will fancy their chances of beating Czech Republic in their final group match, but that might not be enough if they lose to Spain here.
7.42pmSomewhat surprisingly, Turkey did not qualify for any European Championship between 1990 and 1992, but they made the finals in 1996, where they went out in the group stages. They then made the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 and semi-finals of Euro 2008, but failed to qualify for the competition in 2012. They also failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which is a surprise considering the amount of talent and indeed experience in their squad. These two will go head-to-head tonight...
Up next: #ESP v #TUR!
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 17, 2016
Which of these experienced coaches will guide their team to victory? #ESPTUR pic.twitter.com/StroJ4UWD6
7.45pmIn terms of qualification for this summer's tournament, Turkey finished third in Group A behind Czech Republic and Iceland. They won five of their 10 matches, drawing three times and suffering two defeats. As mentioned, they will take on Czech Republic once again in this group and they won one and lost one of their two games against the Czechs during their qualification campaign.
7.48pmHorrible scenes from the Croatia, Czech Republic match...
Awful scenes. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/7JvOcxZxJY
— Free Bets (@freebetscouk) June 17, 2016
7.52pmTurkey played three friendlies in the build-up to Euro 2016 – losing 2-1 against England, before beating Montenegro and Slovenia, both 1-0. They have not actually conceded more than two goals in a single match since losing 4-0 to Brazil in a friendly in November 2014, but they have struggled for a regular goal-scorer in recent years. Only Arda Turan (17) and Burak Yilmaz (20) have hit double figures for their country of the 23 that are representing the team this summer. Those two will be key for the Turkey tonight.
7.55pmConfirmation of the two teams for tonight's match...
ESP: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito
TUR: Babacan; Gonul, Topal, Balta, Erkin; Tufan, Inan, Ozyakup; Calhanoglu, Yilmaz, Turan
7.58pm
The Spanish fans can always be relied upon to enjoy themselves! #ESP #ESPTUR pic.twitter.com/V8cQhW6oHM
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 17, 2016
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then - the national anthems and pre-match handshakes have taken place and we are ready to get the first period underway. A Spain win takes them into the round of 16 with a game to spare, but Turkey need to win to keep their challenge alive. Spain kick of use on Nice...
1 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight and as expected, Spain have taken control of the possession in the early moments. That will be the pattern here.
1 minBOOKING! Ramos (Spain) is booked in the first minute after bundling Yilmaz to the ground!
2 minBalta makes contact on the resulting set piece, but his header was always dropping wide.
4 minTurkey are camped inside their own half at the moment as Spain pass and probe in the final third, but Turan manages to pick the pocket of his Barcelona teammate Alba and the Turks can break.
6 minSpain fail to make the most of an advantage from the referee and Turkey crowd out Busquets, but Pique is across on the cover to make the challenge. Spain break down the other end and Morata has a go from outside the box, which forces Babacan into a smart save. End-to-end football here.
8 minTurkey continue to look dangerous on the break as Yilmaz threatens to run away from Pique, but the number 17 had just moved into an offside position. Really high-tempo start to this Group D clash.
9 minBOOKING! Yilmaz (Turkey) is booked for throwing his arm into Busquets.
11 minPOST! Alba delivers a wonderful cross into the Turkish box and Morata looks favourite to win it, but Balta makes contact and manages to turn against his own post and behind. From the resulting corner, Pique rises above everyone, but his header is into the turf and over the crossbar!
15 minSpain continue to dominate the possession here and Iniesta eventually strikes towards goal after smart work from Silva, but Balta comes flying out and manages to make a super defensive block.
17 minPique is the target for another Spain corner, but it is far too long for the Barcelona centre-back, who actually keeps the ball in and helps Turkey break away. The counter-attack is led by the exciting and quick Calhanoglu, but Spain have players back and manage to force the number six into traffic.
19 minSpain again take it slow in the final third before Fabregas looks to feed Nolito, but the pass is too strong and Babacan is on hand to claim. Still goalless with 19 minutes on the clock in Nice.
21 minWe have already had two bookings in this match and I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the cards as late challenges continue to occur. Iniesta takes a while to rise to his feet after a strong challenge from Tufan, who stood on the back of the midfielder's Achilles. Poor from the number 16 there.
23 minJust a reminder that victory for Spain would see them advance into the round of 16, while three points for Turkey would move them above Czech Republic into third and just one point off second-place Croatia, who played out a 2-2 draw with the Czechs earlier tonight. Delicately poised!
24 minCalhanoglu strikes one from outside the Spain box, but his effort was always wide.
26 minTurkey have a free kick in a dangerous position as Juanfran brings Turan to the deck...
27 min... CLOSE! Not too far away from Calhanoglu as he just misses the target.
29 minCLOSE! Wonderful feet from Nolito as the Spaniard cuts onto his right foot before curling the ball towards the far corner, but his effort just misses the target. Unlucky there!
31 minBusquets delivers a wonderful ball onto the head of Fabregas inside the Turkish box, but the Chelsea midfielder tries to set up a teammate and Gonul is on hand to clear the danger. Down the other end, De Gea has to be alert to clear ahead of Yilmaz after some sloppy Ramos defending!
32 minAnother half-chance for Spain as Juanfran sets up Nolito with a low cross, but the number 22 cannot make clean contact under pressure from Tufan and the ball trickles wide of the post.
33 minPique and Busquets are both on the deck after clashing while challenging for a high ball!
34 minPique and Busquets return to their feet, but they both took a whack after challenging Yilmaz, who walked away from the challenge unharmed! Still goalless with 34 minutes on the clock in Nice.
34 minGOAL! Spain 1-0 Turkey (Morata)
35 minBreakthrough! Spain take the lead in the 34th minute of this match as Morata heads a wonderful Nolito cross into the corner of the net. Super cross and an even better header there - wow!
37 minGOAL! Spain 2-0 Turkey (Nolito)
38 minSpain score their second of the match in the 37th minute as Nolito takes advantage of a poor header from Topal before placing his effort into the bottom corner. Well-controlled volley there!
41 minJust a reminder that three points would see Spain make the round of 16 with a game to spare and they are in a very good position in this match. In truth, Turkey have offered little in the final third.
41 minBOOKING! Tufan (Turkey) is booked for pulling Iniesta outside the box.
44 minSpain are in complete control at the moment as they continue to put pressure on this Turkish defence. Iniesta continues to exchange passes with his teammates in the final third and it is beautiful to watch. You have to fear for Turkey if they concede another goal in this first period.
45 minPique has a go from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.
45 min+1Morata races away down the right for Spain and looks to pick out Pique inside the box, but Balta is across to make the challenge as we enter the first and only minute of additional time in the first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Spain 2-0 Turkey
8.48pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Spain leading Turkey 2-0 courtesy of goals from Morata and Nolito. Morata made the breakthrough in the 34th minute with a clever header, before Nolito volleyed home from close range after some poor defending. Turkey have had bits and pieces in the final third, but David de Gea has not had a save to make thus far tonight.
8.53pmSTATISTICS! Spain dominated the first-half possession (64%), while they had 10 attempts, three of which were on target. Turkey, however, did not manage to hit the target with any of their three attempts. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges and the referee has already issued three cards.
8.58pmBENCH WATCH! Del Bosque will be pleased with what he saw in that first 45 minutes, but the experienced manager has the likes of Aduriz, Thiago, Koke, Pedro and Lucas on a wonderful bench. The options available for La Roja are very scary! Turkey, meanwhile, are in desperate need of some inspiration in the final third and Terim has attacking options in the shape of Tosun and teenager Emre Mor.
46 minRESTART! Turkey resume the second 45 minutes in Nice...
47 min... TURKEY SUB! Sahin has replaced Calhanoglu for Turkey here.
48 minI think it would be fair to say that Turkey need to score the next goal here if they are to stand a chance of turning this game around. In truth, I am finding it very hard to imagine Spain not winning from this position. Erkin delivers a dangerous cross into the Spain box, but Alba clears down-field.
48 minGOAL! Spain 3-0 Turkey (Morata)
49 minSpain have their third in Nice as Iniesta finds Alba with a wonderful pass and the left-back squares to Morata, who finishes from close range. Spain become the first team to score three this summer!
51 minCLOSE! Morata has a chance for his hat-trick after being picked out by Silva, but the striker heads wide of the post. Turkey are absolutely all over the place at the moment here.
53 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Turkey to register as Yilmaz turns away from Pique before attempting to curl one into the far corner, but he gets it all wrong and it flies wide!
55 minJust a reminder that defeat here would leave Turkey bottom of the group, but they could still qualify if they beat Czech Republic in their final match next week. That said, it would be a case of wait and see whether they are one of the four best third-placed teams. A heavy defeat here will not help!
57 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as they keep possession in the final third of the field. Nolito eventually darts into the Turkey box, but Balta is across to make a fair and indeed strong challenge.
58 minYilmaz again finds space inside the Spain box, but this time Pique makes the challenge.
61 minLittle under 30 minutes of football remaining in Nice and I think it would be safe to say that Spain are advancing into the knockout round of this competition, which is not a surprise! They will take on Croatia next week for the right to top the section and in theory, receive a favourable last-16 draw.
61 minSilva has one deflected wide of the post as Spain continue to look for more goals.
61 minCLOSE! Silva sends another effort wide, but this time, just wide!
63 minTURKEY SUB! Sahan replaces Ozyakup in Turkey's second change.
64 minSPAIN SUB! Bruno replaces Silva in the Spain midfield.
66 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes and it is not too much of a surprise that the pace of the match has slowed down. Spain are just so comfortable at the moment.
68 minTuran is being whistled by his own supporters at the moment, which is not good to see. It has gone a little bit sour for Turan and indeed Turkey as they continue to struggle in this match.
69 minSAVE! Babacan gets down to push a Bruno strike wide of the post.
70 minTURKEY SUB! Malli replaces Inan in Turkey's final change.
71 minSPAIN SUB! Koke replaces Fabregas in the Spain midfield.
73 minIn truth, the last 15 minutes or so have not been great and that is not too much of a surprise considering that Spain lead 3-0 and will be looking to conserve energy for more pressing games.
76 minIt is party time for Spain as they continue to exchange passes in the final third and Turkey just cannot deal with the movement and quickness of passing. In truth, Turkey have been a million miles away from this Spain team tonight and that is shown by the scoreline with 76 minutes played.
78 minMalli attempts to pick out the top corner after finding space outside the Spain box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Pretty much sums up Turkey's performance in this match.
81 minSPAIN SUB! Azpilicueta replaces Alba in Spain's final change.
83 minNolito turns just inside his own half and looks to send Morata away, but the striker is just caught on his heels and Balta is across to make the challenge. Still 3-0 Spain with 83 minutes on the clock.
86 minQuite a scrappy game at the moment as the referee is forced to award a number of free kicks.
88 minMorata's contribution in the final third will be remembered tonight, but the striker has also been brilliant inside his own box - producing a number of excellent defensive headers. This has not been much of a second period, but Spain will not mind one bit as they head into the round of 16.
89 minCHANCE! Turkey have a super chance to register as Sahan breaks through, but the number 11 takes too long and Azpilicueta is across to make the challenge. Should have done better!
90 minBruno again fires over the crossbar as Spain break into the final third.
90 min+1We are into the first of two added minutes here.
90 min+2FULL-TIME: Spain 3-0 Turkey
9.51pmSo there we have it. Spain have booked their spot in the round of 16 courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Turkey, who will need to beat Czech Republic in their final Group D match to stand a chance of finishing third and possibly advancing. Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again!
