Spain thrash Bulgaria, perfect record continues in qualifiers | OneFootball

Spain thrashed Bulgaria 4–0 on Tuesday afternoon and maintained a 100% record in the European Qualifiers for the World Cup. Merino (twice), Chernev (own goal), and Oyarzabal, from the penalty spot, scored the goals in the match valid for the fourth round, held at the José Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid (ESP).

Qualifiers outlook

With the result, Spain remain the sole leaders of Group E, with 12 points and a 100% record. In this position, they are on course to qualify for the World Cup, but still have two games to play, against Georgia and Turkey in November.

The Turks are in the hunt for qualification, in second place with nine points. Bulgaria suffered their fourth defeat and sit bottom of the group, already eliminated.

How was the match?

Merino scores twice for Spain

In the first half, it was all Spain. Playing at home, the Spaniards created several chances to break the deadlock before finally taking the lead. Pedri hit the crossbar and went close to the post for Bulgaria. Merino put Spain ahead in the 34th minute of the first half. Pedri lofted the ball into the box, Le Normand nodded it down to Merino, who fired it into the back of the net.

At 11 minutes of the second half, Merino doubled the lead. Grimaldo burst forward, reached the byline, and crossed onto the midfielder’s head, who beat goalkeeper Vutsov to make it 2–0. Shortly after, Bulgaria replied through Despodov, who shot just wide of Unai Simón’s post.

Own goal and penalty seal Spain’s rout

Spain made it 3–0 in the 33rd minute with an own goal by Chernev. After a fine move, García received on the left and sent the ball across the six-yard box. Chernev tried to cut it out and put it into his own net. In the final stretch, Spain still had time for one more. Georgiev brought down Merino in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Oyarzabal stepped up and sealed the rout.

📋 Match summary

🔴 SPAIN 4–0 BULGARIA ⚪ 🏆 Competition: European Qualifiers (Matchday 4) 🏟️ Venue: José Zorrilla Stadium, Valladolid (Spain) 📅 Date: October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) ⏰ Time: 3:45 p.m. (Brasília)

Goals

⚽ Merino, 34′ 1st half (Spain) ⚽ Merino, 11′ 2nd half (Spain) ⚽ Chernev, 33′ 2nd half (Spain, own goal) ⚽ Oyarzabal, 46′ 2nd half (Spain)

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