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Spain Thrash Bulgaria in Opening 2026 World Cup Qualifier
Spain secured an early lead in Group E with three first-half goals from Oyarzabal, Cucurella, and Merino, marking a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
- Spain opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 away victory at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on Thursday, September 4, 2025, securing a comfortable first-half lead in Group E.
- The fixture marked the first competitive meeting in over 20 years, with Spain national football team expected to top Group E given their long World Cup history.
- Mikel Oyarzabal struck in the fifth minute, his fifth goal in last six internationals; Marc Cucurella doubled the lead on the half-hour, saying `I'm very happy to score my first for Spain`, and Mikel Merino completed first-half scoring from Lamine Yamal's corner.
- Victory means Spain sit top of Group E and now head to Turkey for their next qualifier on Sunday, while Bulgaria will travel to Georgia the same day.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said, `I think we had a very good first half` but warned, `In the second half, we lacked a bit of that same energy`; he introduced Rodri Hernandez, Dani Carvajal, and handed Jesús Rodriguez his debut.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Spain is making a short process in the World Cup qualification with Bulgaria: 3:0 leads the European Champion at the half-time. It remains until the end.
The Spanish national football team defeated Bulgaria 3-0 tonight in Sofia, Bulgaria, in the first round of Group E qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Spain has no mercy on Bulgaria. Champion of Europe, Luis de la Fuente and his boys walked in Sofia in the first qualifying match for the World Cup of 2026: 0-3, with goals of Oyarzabal, Cucurella and Mikel Merino. La Roja does not want to relax, while De la Fuente begins to look for new automatisms: a challenge for the future, but with the look in the past; always faithful to his style, mande Rodri and Carvajal or Pedri and Lamine Yamal.
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