Spain cruise past Bulgaria in opening World Cup qualifier

Bulgaria 0-3 Spain

Spain received off to a successful begin of their opening World Cup qualifier towards Bulgaria, with a superb 3-0 victory in Sofia. Luis de la Fuente sprung a minor shock along with his selection for the quantity 9 spot, beginning Mikel Oyarzabal at quantity 9, and with Fabian Ruiz out of motion, Pedri beginning in midfield with Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Robin Le Normand was additionally again within the beginning line-up, partnered with Dean Huijsen.

🚨🇸🇰 DAVID HANCKO SCORES AGAINST GERMANY IN THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS TO MAKE IT 1-0 FOR SLOVAKIA!!!! pic.twitter.com/wazCPp1TlK

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) September 4, 2025

These selections have been rewarded early on, with Zubimendi enjoying some excellent soccer, and slipping the ball into the ft of his former Actual Sociedad teammate Mikel Oyarzabal inside the field. His contact was good, and he completed to open the scoring inside 5 minutes. La Roja continued to bomb ahead down the suitable, impressed by Lamine Yamal, and his cross was only-half cleared to Marc Cucurella on the half hour mark, earlier than the Chelsea defender unleashed a fierce strike again throughout objective to double the lead, opening his account in worldwide soccer.

Earlier than the break, a Lamine Yamal nook then discovered Merino within the six-yard field unmarked, all however ending the sport as a contest. Each Merino and Lamine Yamal handed up wonderful possibilities to additional their lead, however goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov and defender Kristian Dmitrovic have been each readily available to make wonderful saves.

A debut and two returns within the second half

The second half adopted a lot the identical sample, however with out the identical fortune in entrance of objective. Lamine Yamal, so harmful creating for his teammates, had a second likelihood go begging when he was discovered within the field with an opportunity from the penality spot, however Vutsov was out rapidly. Equally, after good interaction discovered Merino on the sting of the field, he made the crossbar shake along with his effort.

𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗦

(as soon as once more and as all the time)#Vamospaña | #Copamundialfifa pic.twitter.com/yod9ko4wJB

– Spanish male soccer crew (@sefutbol) SEPTAMBER 4, 2025

The headlines from the second half got here from the bench. For the primary time, de la Fuente received a have a look at Pau Cubarsi partnering Dean Huijsen, with out incident, and there have been first worldwide appearances for Dani Carvajal and Rodri Hernandez since their cruciate ligament accidents. There was additionally a debut for Jesus Rodriguez off the bench, changing Lamine Yamal on the suitable, with some vibrant touches.

Spain win 3-0 over Bulgaria. Pedri performed the entire sport. Lamine performed 79 minutes, and offered an help. Cubarsí got here on within the forty sixth minute, as he changed Robin Le Normand. Dani Olmo got here on within the 71st minute, as he changed Nico Williams. Fermín López and Ferran Torres…

– Boat (@barcacentre) September 4, 2025

De la Fuente will look in the direction of a Sunday evening conflict with Turkiye in Konya with all of his gamers out there, and a comparatively relaxed win below Spain’s belt. They prime the group forward of their Sunday rivals on objective distinction, after Turkiye beat Georgia 3-1 of their opener.