Dazzling Spain Establish Themselves as Euro 2016 Favourites with Turkey Win

It's only ever been them who could play like this. The question was whether they still had this in them.

That question has now been answered.

On Friday night, Euro 2016 was treated to its most dazzling performance thus far as Spain cruised past Turkey, 3-0, at the Stade de Nice, playing like this—with artistry and devastation, with joy and genius, as only they can.  

For a night, Spain channeled that Spain, and opponents everywhere know what that means. 

Manager Vicente del Bosque described the performance as "perfect" in his post-match press conference. AS called it a "statement of intent." Marca proclaimed "that's how champions play." L'Equipe simply went for "What a party."

And a party is what this was. 

For a troubled tournament that has been riddled with off-field issues, this was the fiesta of football Euro 2016 both desperately wanted and needed.

Here, it got Andres Iniesta enchanting the world, leaving grown men to be like small children gazing at gold-painted street performers seemingly floating in the air, asking, "Daddy, how does he do that?" It got Jordi Alba being part-footballer, part-Road Runner. It got Alvaro Morata and Nolito transformed into peak-Fernando Torres and David Villa for a night. It got Gerard Pique leading fast breaks because, well, he can. 

This was a Spanish party of the highest calibre. And this could be another Spanish tournament, too.  

"We have fulfilled the first objective which was to qualify," said a pleased but cautious Del Bosque in the aftermath. "But we haven't won anything yet."

He was only partially correct.

Though this remains a long tournament with tests ahead and a trophy still in the distance, Spain have already won themselves a few things. On his own on Friday, Iniesta won more hearts and minds, Nice left as bedazzled as Toulouse. Up front, Morata and Nolito won crucial belief. Collectively, La Roja are one point away from topping Group D and staring at a gentle-looking run to the final. 

Del Bosque will also know: Like this, Spain are favourites. 

Early in the second half, the defending champions put together the sort of move that not only defines them, but separates them from others. From a Turkey cross, Alba made a headed clearance at the back post, and 20 unbroken passes, nine players and 49 seconds later, the ball was in the net. 

The sequence was mesmerising. Alba's header found Nolito, who played it back to Alba, and then it went: Iniesta, Alba, Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Iniesta, Juanfran, Silva, Iniesta, Alba, Nolito, Alba, Fabregas, Iniesta, Alba, Morata and goal. 

That is Spain.

But this was a performance about more than just the visual spectacle. This was Spain operating with purpose and incision to go with the intricacy. There was a lethal feel to it, a sense of a champion hitting stride.

Whereas against the Czech Republic he roamed and wandered too far from goal, Morata against the Turks was focused and single-minded. He consistently played hard up against the defensive line; the bulk of his movements came within the width of the six-yard box. While his team-mates were creating, he was there, poised, waiting for them.

That header was unstoppable. 

Alongside him, the ever-wonderful Nolito was similarly dynamic, rewarding Del Bosque's faith. Torching Turkey right-back Gokhan Gonul, the Celta Vigo star assisted the first goal and scored the second, went within inches of adding two more and for an hour existed in a state of technically brilliant hyperactivity that ran his opponents ragged. 

There were other ominous signs, too. 

From midfield, Fabregas was far more aggressive than he'd been in Spain's opener on Monday, when he'd passed the ball sideways and backward with little intent. Here, he consistently looked forward, and he became the willing off-the-ball runner from midfield La Roja had been without against the Czechs.

Del Bosque even showed a thing or two himself, introducing Bruno Soriano in the second half to play in a holding pairing with Busquets.

Rivals, look out.

BULENT KILIC/Getty Images

As Spain's players celebrated together with gusto and at regular intervals, they looked like a team released and unshackled, painful recent memories gone and the clouds lifted. 

It's significant.

On Monday, when Pique grabbed a late winner against the Czechs, it felt massive at the time and even more so now. That goal fended off a waiting storm for the Spanish, one that had been building after two years of post-glory negativity, frustrations with the manager's supposed loyalties and the whistling of Pique all over the country.

The allegations against David De Gea compounded things, leaving Spain in desperate need of a positive start.

Against the Czechs, the how hadn't mattered, only the points. They got them, and Iniesta's assessment afterward was telling. "The victory will give us a lot of tranquility," he said, per Jordi Gil of Sport.

That tranquility was evident on Friday in Nice. Having given themselves a platform from which to build into the tournament with that opening, keep-the-wolves-at-bay win, suddenly La Roja looked completely purged of any doubt or insecurities. This was them in their vintage version: full of clarity, verve and calm minds. 

"Spain are a special team," Turkey manager Fatih Terim said at his post-match press conference.

Though Terim also blasted his side's application after the opening 30 minutes—"tonight I saw a team that I don't like, one that gives up and just accepts defeat. Those who know my footballing and coaching career, my attitude and personality, will know that I have no business with those who just give up," he added—it should be remembered that is what Spain do to you.

Their artistry dazzles you, and their technical brilliance tires you. Their supremacy chips away at your will. 

On Friday, Spain gave Turkey a torrid time. They gave Nice and France a party. And they gave the rest of their Euro 2016 rivals a warning.

Follow @TimDCollins