Spain Dominates Bulgaria in World Cup Qualifying Match

Spain crushes Bulgaria 3-0 in World Cup qualifier

Spain kicks off World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Bulgaria. Read more about the match highlights and analysis.

Marin Petkov also had a chance, albeit limited, with only Bulgaria's third touch in Spain's box...

Spain kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. This victory extended their unbeaten record against Bulgaria to six matches, with five wins and one draw.

La Roja started strong, seeking to score in their 29th successive World Cup qualifier. Lamine Yamal was instrumental in the attack, and his involvement led to Mikel Oyarzabal's precise finish, which opened the scoring. Martín Zubimendi's pinpoint pass set up the goal, showcasing Spain's attacking prowess.

Spain dominated the match from the start, with their opponents barely threatening their goal. Unai Simon, Spain's goalkeeper, had a remarkably quiet game, touching the ball only twice in the opening 20 minutes. This highlights Spain's control over the game, shutting down Bulgaria's attacks effectively.

Bulgaria's first notable attack came when Radoslav Kirilov's shot grazed the outside of the post. This momentarily lifted the spirits of the home support, and the decibel level in the stadium rose significantly as the Bulgarian fans cheered on their team. Despite this brief moment of excitement, Spain's defense held strong, maintaining their 3-0 lead over Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's attempt to regroup by switching to a defensive 5-4-1 formation ultimately backfired. Just half an hour into the match, Marc Cucurella scored Spain's second goal with a powerful left-footed shot, marking his first international goal. The Chelsea defender's strike further solidified Spain's lead.

🏁 ꜰᴜʟʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ!!

First three points of the World Cup qualifiers safely in the bag. 👏🔥

🇧🇬 🆚 🇪🇸 | 0-3 | 90+3’

📖 Read the match report: https://t.co/TdwVt6vQaL#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6qbO3aBaiL

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) September 4, 2025

The Spanish attack intensified as halftime approached, with Mikel Merino adding a third goal with a powerful header. Bulgaria's defense was stretched to the limit, and a certain fourth goal was narrowly prevented when Emil Tsenov cleared the ball off the line, showcasing the one-sided nature of the match.

The match had become a training exercise for Spain by halftime, but they showed no signs of letting up. Mikel Merino hit the bar again, and Pedri had ample time and space in midfield to dictate the pace. Spain's 17th shot attempt in just 53 minutes highlighted their dominance.

After an hour, Spain brought on Rodri and Dani Carvajal, who had both been absent from international duty for a year. Both players quickly made an impact, combining in a sensational passing move that unfortunately didn't yield a goal due to Nico Williams' wayward finish. This showcased the depth and quality of Spain's squad.

As the match neared its end, Bulgaria attempted to salvage some pride. Vladimir Nikolov managed to break free from Spain's defense with about 15 minutes left to play. However, his slow reaction in possession allowed Dean Huijsen to quickly close him down, thwarting the opportunity.

Marin Petkov also had a chance, albeit limited, with only Bulgaria's third touch in Spain's box, but he failed to make an impact. The team's struggles were evident, and they were outplayed long before the final whistle. Bulgaria's current form is a shadow of their past success, particularly their impressive fourth-place finish in the 1994 World Cup.

Spain's latest win preserves their impressive record in World Cup qualifiers, with only one loss in their last seven campaigns, showcasing their dominance in the competition. 

Here's a breakdown of their performance:

• Wins: 52
• Draws: 14
• Losses: 1 (in the last 7 campaigns)

This streak highlights Spain's consistency and skill in World Cup qualifying matches, solidifying their position as a top contender. Their ability to perform under pressure and secure crucial wins has been key to their success. With their sights set on the World Cup, Spain's momentum continues to build.