Spain remained perfect in Group E and on course for a 13th successive FIFA World Cup qualification as they beat Bulgaria 4-0 at Valladolid’s Estadio José Zorrilla, leaving the visitors without a point in the group and eliminated.
Goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov, one of eight changes from Bulgaria’s 6-1 loss to Turkey, dealt with the first threat to his goal—an Álex Baena strike after nine minutes. Spanish dominance meant Vutsov’s teammates were forced to sit very deep, and they stood firm until Pedri slipped a pass through to Samu Aghehowa, who forced a top-drawer stop from Vutsov, before Pedri danced through himself, chipped the goalkeeper, and saw his effort come back off the crossbar.
Bulgarian resistance was finally broken 10 minutes before half time. A ball over the top was nodded across goal by Robin Le Normand, into the path of Mikel Merino, who headed home his fifth goal in qualification. La Roja had scored at least twice in their previous 10 games, and their relentless pressure continued after the restart.
Spain could heavily rely on Merino, who leapt high to score his second header, powering home Alejandro Grimaldo’s cross. The visitors did create a chance out of nothing when Kiril Despodov was played through, and though he beat Unai Simón, his shot trickled agonizingly wide.
The lead was extended 11 minutes from time when Yeremy Pino found Baena, who squared the ball across goal, and the unfortunate Atanas Chernev diverted the ball into his own net on his international debut. In added time, Martin Georgiev worsened his own debut when he conceded a penalty for a foul on Merino, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to fire home the resulting penalty.
Having bettered the result of the reverse fixture, Spain has scored 15 without conceding in the group, while Bulgaria has now lost five matches in a row by an aggregate score of 20-1.
