Spain began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification journey in commanding fashion, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. The win not only marks a perfect start to their campaign but also extends their impressive unbeaten head-to-head record against the Lions.
La Roja, aiming to score in their 29th successive World Cup qualifier, started with a clear intent to dominate. With Lamine Yamal heavily involved from the outset, Bulgaria struggled to find their rhythm. It wasn’t long before Spain’s pressure paid off, with Mikel Oyazarbal expertly converting a precise pass from Martín Zubimendi just inside the box to open the scoring.
The reigning European champions continued to control the match, stifling any attempt by their opponents to build momentum. The stat sheet told a clear story of Spain’s control, with goalkeeper Unai Simon touching the ball just twice in the first 20 minutes. Bulgaria found a brief moment of hope when Radoslav Kirilov’s shot grazed the outside of the post, which sparked a significant roar from the home crowd.
However, the temporary reprieve was short-lived. Bulgaria’s defensive change to a 5-4-1 formation backfired when Marc Cucurella connected with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box on the half-hour mark. The goal, his first for the national team, doubled Spain’s lead. The onslaught continued before half-time, as Mikel Merino added a third with a strong header, narrowly missing a fourth that was cleared off the line by Emil Tsenov.
In the second half, the game resembled a training exercise for the visitors, who continued to create opportunities. Merino saw another powerful shot ricochet off the crossbar, marking Spain’s 17th attempt just 53 minutes into the game. Substitutions saw Rodri and Dani Carvajal enter the match for their first international appearances in a year, showcasing the team’s depth. The duo were immediately involved in a slick passing sequence that deserved a better finish than Nico Williams’ wayward shot.
Bulgaria attempted to salvage some pride in the final quarter, but their late attacks were swiftly shut down by the Spanish defense. Both Vladimir Nikolov and Marin Petkov failed to capitalize on their limited chances inside the box.
For Bulgaria, the defeat means they have secured just two wins from their last 16 competitive fixtures, remaining a shadow of the team that finished fourth in the 1994 World Cup finals. Meanwhile, Spain’s easy victory maintains an incredible streak that has seen them suffer only one defeat in their last seven World Cup qualifying campaigns since 1993.
