Spain ease past Bulgaria to move closer to World Cup qualification

Spain continued their flawless run in Group E, easing to a 4–0 win over Bulgaria at Valladolid’s Estadio José Zorrilla to move within reach of their 13th straight FIFA World Cup qualification. The result left Bulgaria without a point and officially eliminated from contention.

Bulgaria’s coach Aleksandar Dimitrov made eight changes following a 6–1 thrashing by Turkey in his debut, including a start for goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov, who was tested early when Álex Baena fired a low effort just nine minutes in.

Spain’s dominance was immediate. The visitors sat deep and defended in numbers, but Pedri repeatedly found openings. His clever through-ball released Samu Aghehowa, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Vutsov. Moments later, Pedri danced past two defenders and lifted the ball over the keeper, only for it to crash against the crossbar.

Aghehowa, making his first international start, kept pressing for a goal but was again denied by the inspired Bulgarian keeper. Spain had already registered 15 attempts by the half-hour mark, and Mikel Oyarzabal went close with a fierce strike just over the bar.

The breakthrough finally came ten minutes before halftime. Robin Le Normand rose to head a long ball across goal, and Mikel Merino met it with a powerful header for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Merino at the Double

Spain have scored at least twice in each of their last ten matches, and they maintained that streak early in the second half. Borja Iglesias had three quick chances within ten minutes, but Vutsov pulled off two fine saves before Iglesias glanced his best opportunity wide.

There was no stopping Merino, though. The midfielder struck again with another header — this time from Alejandro Grimaldo’s pinpoint cross — to double Spain’s lead. Bulgaria almost pulled one back when Kiril Despodov rounded Unai Simón, but his shot rolled agonizingly wide of the far post.

Spain’s substitutes made an instant impact. Pablo Barrios and Yeremy Pino both tested Vutsov soon after coming on, and with eleven minutes remaining, Pino’s low cross deflected off Atanas Chernev and into the net — an unfortunate own goal in the defender’s first international appearance.

The night got worse for Bulgaria in stoppage time when debutant Martin Georgiev fouled Merino in the box. Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot to make it 4–0.

Dominant and Ruthless

The result means Spain have now scored 15 goals without conceding in the group, while Bulgaria’s struggles continue — five straight defeats with a combined scoreline of 20–1.

With this win, Luis de la Fuente’s side stay top of Group E and firmly on course for another World Cup appearance, showing the control, creativity, and ruthlessness that have defined their qualifying campaign.