"Spain kicked off their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win in Bulgaria. The Euro 2024 champions eased to a comfortable victory on Thursday at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia with first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino. list of 4 itemsend of list Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was able to bring on Rodri Hernandez and Dani Carvajal for their first international appearances in several months after both recovered from severe knee injuries."
"Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi set up his former Real Sociedad teammate Oyarzabal for the opener with a fine pass as Spain took the lead after five minutes. Radoslav Kirilov hit the post for the hosts before Chelsea defender Cucurella thumped in to double Spain's lead after the ball dropped into his path. The game was effectively over before the break when Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal whipped in a corner, which Merino nodded home, reflecting Spain's domination."
"Arsenal midfielder Merino hit the crossbar in the second half as Spain continued to dominate. Teenager Yamal was bright and dangerous without scoring. Man City midfielder Rodri and Real Madrid's Carvajal made their long-awaited returns off the bench as De la Fuente shuffled his pack. They had missed seven and nine months each, respectively. The coach also handed Jesus Rodriguez his international debut in the final stages, with the Como winger replacing Yamal to round off a fine evening for La Roja."
Spain opened their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at Sofia's Vasil Levski Stadium, scoring three first-half goals through Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino. Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi assisted the early opener, and Radoslav Kirilov hit the post for the hosts. Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal provided a corner for Merino's header, while Merino later hit the crossbar. Man City midfielder Rodri and Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal marked long-awaited returns from knee injuries as substitutes. Jesus Rodriguez made his international debut late on. Turkiye withstood a Georgia comeback in Group E.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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