Match report

Spain Defeats Bulgaria 3-0 in World Cup Qualification

Bulgaria
Bulgaria
0–3
FT
Spain
Spain
Sep 4, 2025

Spain secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in their World Cup Qualification match, showcasing their dominance from the early moments. Mark Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino scored for Spain, with the goals coming at crucial points to cement Spain's control over the game. Bulgaria struggled to mount any significant threat against the Spanish defense, ultimately falling short in their bid to secure points.

Key Facts

  • • Spain's goals scored by M. Oyarzabal (5'), M. Cucurella (30'), and M. Merino (38')
  • • Mikel Merino's goal came off an assist from Lamine Yamal
  • • Robin Le Normand received a yellow card for Spain at 39'
  • • Multiple substitutions made by Spain including P. Cubarsi, Rodri, Nico Williams, and Jesús Rodríguez

Lineups

Bulgaria

Starting XI

  • 21 S. Vutsov (G)
  • 14 A. Nedyalkov (D)
  • 5 K. Dimitrov (D)
  • 13 E. Tsenov (D)
  • 7 F. Nurnberger (D)
  • 15 V. Panayotov (M)
  • 18 I. Chochev (M)
  • 4 I. Gruev (M)
  • 12 N. Minkov (F)
  • 9 A. Kolev (F)
  • 10 R. Kirilov (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Mitov
  • 23 I. Dyulgerov
  • 2 H. Petrov
  • 3 Z. Atanasov
  • 6 R. Bozhinov
  • 8 A. Kraev
  • 11 K. Despodov
  • 16 M. Petkov
  • 17 G. Milanov
  • 19 M. Minchev
  • 20 L. Petkov
  • 22 V. Nikolov

Spain

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 23 U. Simon (G)
  • 12 P. Porro (D)
  • 3 R. Le Normand (D)
  • 5 D. Huijsen (D)
  • 22 M. Cucurella (D)
  • 6 M. Merino (M)
  • 18 M. Zubimendi (M)
  • 20 Pedri (M)
  • 19 Lamine Yamal (F)
  • 21 M. Oyarzabal (F)
  • 17 N. Williams (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Raya
  • 13 A. Remiro
  • 2 D. Carvajal
  • 4 P. Cubarsi
  • 7 A. Morata
  • 8 F. Lopez
  • 9 A. Garcia
  • 10 D. Olmo
  • 11 F. Torres
  • 14 J. Rodriguez
  • 15 A. Grimaldo
  • 16 Rodri

Timeline

  1. Spain
    5' Spain Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Oyarzabal · Assist: Martín Zubimendi
  2. Spain
    30' Spain Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Cucurella
  3. Spain
    38' Spain Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Merino · Assist: Lamine Yamal
  4. Spain
    39' Spain Card · Yellow Card
    Robin Le Normand

    Foul

  5. Spain
    46' Spain subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Robin Le Normand · On: P. Cubarsi
  6. Spain
    62' Spain subst · Substitution 2
    Off: P. Porro · On: D. Carvajal
  7. Spain
    62' Spain subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Martín Zubimendi · On: Rodri
  8. Bulgaria
    71' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Aleksandar Kolev · On: V. Nikolov
  9. Spain
    71' Spain subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Nico Williams · On: D. Olmo
  10. Bulgaria
    72' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Kirilov · On: M. Minchev
  11. Spain
    79' Spain subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Lamine Yamal · On: Jesús Rodríguez
  12. Bulgaria
    81' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 5
    Off: I. Chochev · On: G. Milanov

Match Stats

Stat Bulgaria Spain
Fouls 6 17
Pass Accuracy 70% 92%
Offsides 4 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 3 24
Corners 1 6
Total Passes 228 818
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 2 7
Shots on Target 0 12
xG 0.23 3.41
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 22% 78%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 159 753
Shots Inside Box 3 16
Saves 8 0
Shots Outside Box 0 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Spain took the lead early through M. Oyarzabal's goal in the 5th minute, setting the tone for their performance
  • ▸ Marc Cucurella's goal in the 30th minute extended Spain's lead, effectively silencing any Bulgarian resistance and securing a comfortable cushion for Spain