Spain opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying marketing campaign with a cushty 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia, extending their good document towards the hosts and underlining their standing as Group E favourites.
Softfootball reported that Spain’s journey to Bulgaria could be a tricky one. The defending European champions made gentle work of the declare. They struck early by way of Mikel Oyarzabal, who calmly transformed a Martín Zubimendi move within the fifth minute.
Marc Cucurella doubled the lead on the half-hour mark with a thunderous left-footed strike, his first objective for the nationwide crew, earlier than Mikel Merino’s highly effective header from a nook made it 3-0 earlier than half-time.
La Roja dominated from the outset, permitting goalkeeper Unai Simón simply two touches within the opening 20 minutes. Bulgaria’s finest second got here when Radoslav Kirilov clipped the surface of the put up, however Ilian Iliev’s swap to a five-man defence rapidly unravelled towards Spain’s relentless motion.
Spain posted an appreciation picture of the gamers applauding followers that made all of it the way in which to Bulgaria with a thanks caption on its official X account.
The Publish:
Spain may have added to their tally after the break, with Merino denied a second by the crossbar and Nico Williams lacking from shut vary following an intricate crew transfer. The returns of Dani Carvajal and Rodri Hernández after lengthy harm layoffs added additional high quality from the bench, reflecting Spain’s depth in comparison with a Bulgaria facet that hardly ever threatened.
The victory extends Spain’s head-to-head document towards Bulgaria to 5 wins and one draw, with 26 objectives scored and simply two conceded. It additionally retains intact La Roja’s outstanding qualifying document: just one defeat throughout their final seven World Cup cycles (W52, D14).
For Bulgaria, nonetheless chasing their first World Cup finals look since 1998, the gulf in school was clear. Spain, in the meantime, look each bit the contender to ebook their thirteenth consecutive World Cup spot.
