The Spanish Cruise, which won 3-0 in Bulgaria, has Torquier held back Georgia’s fightback as Group E begins in World Cup qualifying.
Released on September 4th, 2025
Spain launched the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory in Bulgaria.
The Euro 2024 champions got a comfortable victory on Thursday at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia with first half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino.
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Spanish director Luis de la Fuente was able to attract Rodri Hernandez and Dani Carvallar for his first international appearance in months after recovering from a severe knee injury.
Spain, which first won the World Cup in its sole time in 2010, is expected to reach the US, Canada and Mexico tournaments directly, with Group E, including Torquier and Georgia.
This was the first time Spain had faced Bulgaria in over 20 years at the final competition meeting at the 1998 World Cup.
Oyalzabal leads the line again for Spain
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi set up his former Real Sociedad teammate Oyalzabal in the opener as Spain took the lead five minutes later.
Radoslav Kirilov hit the post for the hosts before Chelsea defender Cucurella doubled the Spanish lead after the ball fell into his path.
The game ended effectively before the break when Barcelona’s Winger Lamin Yamal whipped in the corner.
Arsenal midfielder Merino crashed into the crossbar in the second half as Spain continued to dominate. Teenager Yamal was bright and dangerous without scoring.
Man City midfielder Rodri and Real Madrid’s Carvajal made the much-anticipated return from the bench when De La Fuente shuffled his puck. They had missed seven and nine months respectively.
The coach also handed Jesus Rodriguez his international debut in the final stages, and Como Winger replaced Yamal to close out a great night for La Roja.
“We’re incredibly demanding (players) more than anything, they were disappointed in the second half,” de la Fuente said.
“We are happy, but we have to keep moving forward.
Next in Spain is another away game, a trip to Torquier on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bulgaria travels to face Georgia on the same day.
“(Turkiye) is a high-level game and will be a tougher game,” the Spanish coach added. “We need to look better every day.”
Turkier was given the final fear by Georgia
Turkiye beat Georgia 3-2 in another Group E match early on Thursday, but that was after overcoming the slow fear.
When Barris Alper Irmaz was shown a straight red card in 71 minutes, the away side fell to 10.
By that point they had already led Kelem Akturkoglu strikes on both sides of the interval and the 3-minute header of Mert Muldur.
Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back for the home side in the 63rd minute, but the effort eight minutes after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s injury meant a more tense finish than Turkiye had expected.
