Alvaro Morata hits double as Spain stroll past Turkey and into last 16

Alvaro Morata scored a double as Spain secured their place in the last 16 of the European Championship after a 3-0 victory over Turkey in Group D at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.

The Juventus striker was criticised for a poor performance in his side’s opening game but he responded in the best possible manner with two goals as Spain produced the most impressive performance of the tournament so far.

No team had won by more than a two-goal margin in this year’s competition prior to this match but Spain could - and probably should - have scored many more than three.

Vicente del Bosque’s side were dominant in possession throughout the first-half but the deadlock wasn’t broken until the under-fire Morata headed in from Nolito’s cross on 34 minutes.

Just three minutes later, provider Nolito turned goalscorer when he was well positioned to take advantage of a defensive mistake by Mehmet Topal who inadvertently headed Cesc Fabregas’ pass wayward and the 29-year-old slotted into the net from close range.

The best goal of the night – and possibly of the tournament, so far - arrived three minutes after the restart when a total of 21 passes culminated in a third goal as Jordi Alba unselfishly squared the ball to Morata to tap into an empty net.

Somehow, Turkey can still progress in the tournament, despite two defeats from two matches. But they would need to beat Czech Republic and significantly improve their goal difference in order to be in with a chance of grabbing one of the best-placed third-place spots.

Meanwhile, Spain need only a point in their final group game against Croatia to top the group.

Such a spectacular display indicates Spain have recovered after a dismal World Cup two years ago. Their third goal - consisting of 21 passes - was vintage stuff, even if there was a question of off-side. Although they’ll undoubtedly come up against better teams than Turkey, there are signs Spain can claim a third successive European Championships honour.

Alvaro Morata (Spain) – Eyebrows were raised when the Juventus striker was named in the starting XI but he answered his critics with two goals on the night. All good forwards miss chances but it’s how they respond which matters most.

Spain: De Gea 6, Juanfran 7, Piqué 6, Ramos 6, Alba 7, Fàbregas 7, Busquets 6, Iniesta 7, Silva 7, Morata 8, Nolito 8. Subs: Azpilicueta /A, Koke 5, Bruno 5.

Turkey: Babacan 5, Gönül 5, Topal 5, Balta 6, Erkin 5, Tufan 6, Inan 5, Ozyakup 5, Calhanoglu 6, Yilmaz 6, Turan 5. Subs: Sahin 5, Sahan 5, Malli 5.

11’ - OVER! Pique, the match winner in Spain's opening match, should really score as he rises highest to meet the corner delivery but he heads the ball into the ground and it bounces harmlessly over the bar.

28’ - CLOSE! Nolito finds space cutting in from the left and fires a curled effort at goal... but it's just wide of the far post. That's probably the closest we've come to a goal.

31’ - CHANCE! Another opportunity for Spain goes begging. Juanfran does well to cut in from the channel and find Nolito but the forward doesn't connect with the ball and it rolls wide of the goal.

34’ – GOAL! Spain 1-0 Turkey. Morata puts Spain in front with a lovely header. Nolito cuts in and finds the forward with a delicious cross.

37’ - GOAL! Spain 2-0 Turkey. Nolito, provider of the first goal, gets on the scoresheet three minutes later. Fabregas delivered a great pass into the penalty area. Topal fails to deal with it and heads into the path of Nolito who makes no mistake from eight yards.

48’ – GOAL! Spain 3-0 Turkey. Game, set and match. Iniesta plays a deadly through pass to Alba who unselfishly squares it to Morata who is left with an empty net to tap the ball into.

86’ - CHANCE! Turkey almost get on the scoresheet as Yilmaz breaks through the defence but takes a touch too many and allows Juanfran to get back and make the block.

Spain have won their first two games at the Euros for the third time (1964 & 2008) winning the competition both previous times.

They haven't conceded a single goal in their last 690 minutes in the European Championships, the longest run in the tournament history.

Álvaro Morata has scored the fourth brace for Spain in European Championship history, after Fernando Torres, Xavi Alonso and Alfonso.

Spain needed 21 passes to score the third goal against Turkey. All Spaniards were involved except Piqué and de Gea.

Nolito has now scored five goals and completed four assists in his 12 caps for La Roja.

Nolito is the 35th different scorer for Spain at the Euros, the most in Euros history (one more than Germany, 34).

The Sergio Ramos booking is the fourth fastest in Euros history. The fastest was for an Spaniard too (Abelardo vs England in 1996: 25'').