Merino double helps Spain thrash Bulgaria

Spain edged nearer to a spot in the 2026 World Cup after securing a straightforward 4-0 victory against Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Luis de la Fuente's team showed total control and prevailed with a pair of goals from Mikel Merino, plus an own goal by Atanas Chernev and a spot-kick from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Having triumphed in each of their first four fixtures, Spain have netted 15 goals while keeping a clean sheet, topping Group E over Turkey and Georgia, as Bulgaria sit last following four losses.

De la Fuente lacked a number of vital squad members due to injury, such as Lamine Yamal, Rodri Hernandez, and Nico Williams, yet his players easily handled the opponents in Valladolid.

Spain pressed forward without pause and nearly went ahead when Barcelona's Pedri Gonzalez chipped the ball onto the crossbar.

Pedri played a part once more in the opening goal, sending a high pass into the box that Robin Le Normand flicked on for Merino to nod in.

Bulgaria's manager Aleksandar Dimitrov had conceded prior to kick-off that his team aimed merely to escape a heavy defeat, and they limited Spain to a single strike before the interval.

Borja Iglesias, coming on for Samu Aghehowa during the break, missed a chance to increase the advantage by heading astray from a promising position.

Merino soon added his second header from Alejandro Grimaldo's delivery, maintaining the relentless assault. This marked Merino's sixth international goal across his previous four outings for Spain.

Chernev accidentally turned substitute Aleix Garcia's centre into his own goal, giving Spain their third after 79 minutes.

In added time, Merino earned a penalty after Martin Georgiev fouled him awkwardly, and Oyarzabal converted to confirm Spain's win.