Spain 4-0 Bulgaria result – Mikel Merino at the double as La Roja remain perfect in World Cup qualifying Group E

SPAIN REMAIN PERFECT AS MERINO BRACE HELPS BRUSH ASIDE BULGARIA

Mikel Merino scored a brace of headers and Mikel Oyarzabal netted a late penalty as Spain thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 in Valladolid to make it four wins out of four in UEFA Group E of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

There was simply no stopping Arsenal midfielder Merino, who scored either side of the break to make it six goals in four Group E outings and eight in his last eight Spain caps.

It was a night to forget for Bulgaria debutante Atanas Chernev, who put the ball in his own net after 80 minutes before Oyarzabal converted from the spot in second-half stoppage time.

Spain were utterly dominant throughout as they ended the encounter with a sumptuous 70% possession and registered 30 shots, including 11 on target.

Bulgaria, on the other hand, only managed three attempts and were completely unable to test Unai Simon. The only real positive for the visitors was the stunning display from goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov, who made seven saves to protect his side from embarrassment.

Luis de la Fuente’s side proved they are formidable even without star players Lamine Yamal and Rodri, who were both pulled out of the squad injured at the start of the international break.

With tonight’s win, Spain have now matched the national record of 29 successive matches without defeat, set between 2010 and 2013 under Vicente del Bosque.

Although yet to mathematically qualify for next summer’s World Cup, Spain are now agonisingly close. Turkey’s comfortable 4-1 win over Georgia tonight means first spot in Group E is yet to be secured.

The gap between the top spot after match four of six stands at three points. Spain can clinch qualification for the World Cup next month, when they take on Georgia and Turkey.