Match report

Spain Defeats Bulgaria 4-0 in World Cup Qualification

Spain
Spain
4–0
FT
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Oct 14, 2025

Spain demonstrated a dominant performance to defeat Bulgaria 4-0 in their World Cup Qualification match. M. Merino scored twice, including a beautiful assist from A. Grimaldo, while Atanas Chernev scored an own goal. The game was sealed by M. Oyarzabal's penalty in the final minute. Spain's tactical setup and relentless pressure left Bulgaria struggling to find any footing.

Key Facts

  • • M. Merino scored two goals at the 35th and 57th minutes.
  • • Atanas Chernev scored an own goal at the 79th minute.
  • • M. Oyarzabal scored a penalty at the 90th minute.
  • • Robin Le Normand and A. Garcia provided assists.
  • • Spain made multiple substitutions, including Samu and A. Baena.

Lineups

Spain

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 23 U. Simon (G)
  • 12 P. Porro (D)
  • 3 R. Le Normand (D)
  • 10 A. Laporte (D)
  • 17 A. Grimaldo (D)
  • 18 M. Zubimendi (M)
  • 20 Pedri (M)
  • 21 M. Oyarzabal (M)
  • 6 M. Merino (M)
  • 16 A. Baena (M)
  • 19 Samu (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Raya
  • 13 A. Remiro
  • 2 J. de Frutos
  • 4 P. Cubarsi
  • 5 D. Vivian
  • 7 Y. Pino
  • 8 A. Garcia
  • 9 B. Iglesias
  • 11 J. Rodriguez
  • 14 M. Llorente
  • 15 P. Barrios
  • 22 M. Cucurella

Bulgaria

Starting XI

  • 21 S. Vutsov (G)
  • 20 M. Georgiev (D)
  • 15 P. Hristov (D)
  • 3 A. Chernev (D)
  • 22 D. Velkovski (D)
  • 17 M. Minchev (M)
  • 23 S. Shopov (M)
  • 4 I. Gruev (M)
  • 14 F. Krastev (M)
  • 10 R. Kirilov (M)
  • 11 K. Despodov (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Mitov
  • 13 D. Sheytanov
  • 2 H. Petrov
  • 5 K. Dimitrov
  • 6 V. Popov
  • 7 Z. Dimitrov
  • 8 A. Kraev
  • 9 V. Nikolov
  • 12 R. Bozhinov
  • 16 M. Petkov
  • 18 I. Chochev
  • 19 K. Stoyanov

Timeline

  1. Spain
    35' Spain Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Merino · Assist: Robin Le Normand
  2. Spain
    46' Spain subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Samu · On: B. Iglesias
  3. Spain
    57' Spain Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Merino · Assist: A. Grimaldo
  4. Spain
    63' Spain subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Baena · On: Y. Pino
  5. Spain
    63' Spain subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Martín Zubimendi · On: A. Garcia
  6. Bulgaria
    67' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Kirilov · On: Z. Dimitrov
  7. Bulgaria
    67' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Despodov · On: V. Nikolov
  8. Bulgaria
    67' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Minchev · On: M. Petkov
  9. Spain
    68' Spain subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Pedri · On: Pablo Barrios
  10. Spain
    71' Spain subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Robin Le Normand · On: D. Vivian
  11. Spain
    79' Spain Goal · Own Goal
    Atanas Chernev · Assist: A. Garcia
  12. Bulgaria
    84' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 4
    Off: S. Shopov · On: K. Stoyanov
  13. Bulgaria
    89' Bulgaria subst · Substitution 5
    Off: I. Gruev · On: A. Kraev
  14. Spain
    90' Spain Goal · Penalty
    M. Oyarzabal

Match Stats

Stat Spain Bulgaria
Fouls 7 6
Pass Accuracy 93% 73%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 33 3
Corners 11 0
Total Passes 817 239
Yellow Cards — —
Blocked Shots 10 0
Shots on Target 11 0
xG 2.99 0.40
Shots off Target 12 3
Possession 78% 22%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 757 175
Shots Inside Box 24 2
Saves 0 8
Shots Outside Box 9 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ M. Merino's early goal at the 35th minute set the tone for Spain's dominance.
  • ▸ The own goal from Atanas Chernev at the 79th minute solidified Spain's lead, making it a comfortable 3-0.