Favourites for the Copa? Spain thrash Turkey in qualifiers, 🇩🇪 hit back | OneFootball

Five more games concluded this Sunday (7) of the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Highlight for Spain, which proved its strength by IGNORING Turkey playing away.

The current Euro champion made it SIX TO ZERO with complete dominance against a rival that had Güler, Calhanoglu, Yildiz, and Akturkoglu on the field.

But left much to be desired.

Defeated in the first round, Germany hosted Northern Ireland.

They struggled, but confirmed their favoritism by winning 3 x 1 in Cologne.

Regulation 📝

Only the leading team of each of the 12 groups will go directly to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The 12 teams that finish in second place in their respective groups will be joined by the four best from the Nations League that did not qualify in 1st or 2nd in the Qualifiers for a playoff that will guarantee four more qualifiers.

🤯 What a SHOW was that, huh?

It took just six minutes for Spain to fully involve the opponent's defense for the first time.

Pedri opened the scoring with a beautiful goal from outside the area.

The second came at 22', with passing exchanges inside the rival area and Merino completing.

📸 OZAN KOSE - AFP or licensors

Merino would score another before the break, taking advantage of a rebound (46').

Such a partial score did not reflect the dominance of Luis De La Fuente's team.

Turkey, on the other hand, only posed a real threat once.

Spain did not ease up. The rout was confirmed with Ferran (53') - who replaced Nico Williams still in the first half.

Merino had all the freedom in the world to secure his hat-trick (57'). He has scored SIX goals with Spain this year.

Pedri scored the sixth again with great skill (62').

The substitutions made Spain not maintain the same intensity.

The hosts tried to respond. But they were unsuccessful.

La Roja reached six points. They remain 100% after two rounds.

Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella's Turkey remains with three points and a negative goal difference of five. And in third place.

Georgia, with three points and a goal difference of two, is the runner-up.

Tribute, scare, and relief

The RheinEnergieStadion was the scene of a beautiful tribute to the now former defender Mats Hummels, World Champion in 2014.

On the field, Germany did what was expected of them.

Just seven minutes in, Gnabry was set up by Woltemade and scored past the goalkeeper.

However, the greater possession did not translate into more goals before the break.

And Northern Ireland was efficient after a corner and a goal by Price, who was unmarked (34').

The German relief only came at 69', when Nadiem Amiri - coming off the bench and wearing the number 10 - capitalized on Raum's long cross and scored.

Shortly after, Wirtz secured the win by extending the lead (73') with a beautiful free-kick.

📸 INA FASSBENDER - AFP or licensors

The four-time World Champion reached three points in Group A. They are in third place.

They are behind Northern Ireland due to goal difference.

Luxembourg vs Slovakia - Group A

After surprising with a victory over Germany, Slovakia was underperforming.

They were in a goalless draw with Luxembourg. Without even hitting the rival's goal.

But Rigo secured the valuable three points at 90'.

Which took Slovakia to six points. And in the isolated lead.

Poland vs Finland - Group G

After earning an important point against the Netherlands, Poland confirmed their favoritism by beating Finland.

Matty Cash (27') and Lewa (47') secured a good advantage already in the 1st half.

📸 WOJTEK RADWANSKI - AFP or licensors

Kaminski extended the lead (55') after a pass from Lewa. The visitors only managed to score late, with Kallman (88').

Poland reached ten points.

They continue to trail Memphis & Co., who have a superior goal difference and lead.

Belgium vs Kazakhstan - Group J

There was a "protocol" victory for Belgium in Anderlecht.

There were 20 shots in the first half alone. Eight of them on Seysen's goal.

De Bruyne (42') and Doku (44') scored before the break, frustrating the Kazakh goalkeeper.

Raskin extended the lead (51') and Doku scored another (60').

De Bruyne also scored his second (84') and there was still time for Meunier (87') to complete.

Belgium reached ten points in four games. North Macedonia leads with 11 in five matches.

Monday's Games (8) 📅

15:45 - Kosovo 🆚 Sweden - Group B

15:45 - Switzerland 🆚 Slovenia - Group B

15:45 - Belarus 🆚 Scotland - Group C

15:45 - Greece 🆚 Denmark - Group C

15:45 - Israel 🆚 Italy - Group I

15:45 - Gibraltar 🆚 Faroe Islands - Group L

15:45 - Croatia 🆚 Montenegro - Group L

See the situation of all groups here.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 OZAN KOSE - AFP or licensors