#spain-national-team

#spain-national-team

Their profligacy is not a new concern; it was evident during last summer's Euros, particularly in the quarterfinal against France and the semifinal against Spain. But this time it hurt them more than it should have. In many ways, it was a near-perfect performance. Germany created wave after wave of opportunities, pushed Spain deep into their own half, and left goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with little to do. Yet the one thing they needed, and arguably deserved, never came: a goal.

Third time's the charm, and you have no idea how happy this trophy makes me,

Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as he helped Spain to the brink of World Cup qualification with a 4-0 win over Georgia on Saturday. Spain sit top of Group E after five games, with a three-point lead over Turkiye, who they face in their final match on Tuesday. Ferran Torres saw an early shot blocked, but it resulted in an 11th-minute penalty as Giorgi Gocholeishvili was penalised for a handball - Oyarzabal coolly converted into the bottom-right corner.

I am very flattered. I've always said that I feel very valued by players, by staff. And for me that's the ultimate. Moreover, that they also transmit it to you. It is a reason to be happy because that means that I help them - that I contribute positive things within the team, which is what I want. It is a great compliment.

Merino is surely good enough to be getting more opportunities with Arsenal, with the former Real Sociedad man earning a 9.9 score from WhoScored in the game against Bulgaria. Their stats show that Merino had two shots on target and scored with both of them, while he also made one successful tackle and interception, and completed 87% of his passes.

Spain are in pole position when it comes to qualifying for next summer's World Cup from Group E, which they lead on nine points thanks to wins in all three of their games so far. Luis de la Fuente's side have scored 11 goals in those three games, and have yet to concede, so progress has been serene, and that's not expected to change against Bulgaria, who are bottom of the group, conceding 12 and scoring just once.

Spain have reacted impressively since their penalty shootout loss to Portugal in June's UEFA Nations League final. Luis de la Fuente's side opened their World Cup qualifying journey with a commanding 3-0 win over Bulgaria away from home, followed by a 6-0 thrashing of Turkey in their second September fixture. That momentum continued on Saturday, when they defeated Georgia 2-0 at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche.