Spain Pulverizes Bulgaria 4-0 in World Cup Qualifiers, Extending Unbeaten Run

Match Recap

Spain hammered Bulgaria 4-0 on Tuesday in the fourth round of European qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. La Roja dominated from the kick-off, controlling possession and pressing the Bulgarian defense high up the pitch.

The opener came in the 35th minute when Aymeric Laporte rose to meet a Pedri cross and directed it across goal for Mikel Merino to finish.

Merino completed his brace in the 57th minute, meeting a precise cross from Grimaldo at the far post and heading home to double the lead.

Three minutes later, Merino struck again after a Grimaldo center found an unmarked attacker at the near post, resulting in an own goal by Atanas Chernev and making it 3-0.

In the 92nd minute, Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty after a foul in the box, sealing a fourth and wrapping up a flawless group stage with 12 points from four games.

Spain rotated personnel in the second half, maintaining pressure while limiting Bulgaria’s attacking threats, which consisted mainly of counterattacks and distance shots.

Spain’s run now stands at 29 official matches unbeaten, equalling the golden generation of 2010-2013.

In terms of team play, Pedri threaded the midfield, Merino thrived as a second striker, and Grimaldo supported the flanks, showing depth and variety under Luis de la Fuente.

Punchline 1: If football were a math test, Spain just proved that 2+2 equals four goals, plus a little extra spice for good measure. Bulgaria, you had one job—defend the four letters on the jersey, not the scoreboard.

Punchline 2: Spain’s attack was so relentless that even the scoreboard started blushing; the only thing Bulgaria could do was watch the numbers climb.