Spain 4-0 Bulgaria: Merino moves European champions closer to World Cup

Mikel Merino netted a brace for Spain as the European Champions took a big step towards World Cup qualification with a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Atanas Chernev’s own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty helped Spain to an emphatic victory, with Luis de la Fuente’s side now on the cusp of a place in next year’s finals after making it four wins from four in Group E.

Samu Aghehowa forced Svetoslav Vutsov into a smart stop at his near post early on, moments before Pedri darted in behind, only to hit the underside of the crossbar with a dinked effort.

Vutsov then made two more important saves to keep out Samu and Oyarzabal, keeping Bulgaria in it as the visitors struggled to make an impact at the other end.

But Spain finally got their breakthrough 35 minutes in when Merino thumped a powerful header looping over the goalkeeper after meeting Robin Le Normand’s knockdown.

Spain continued to dominate after the break, with Vutsov tipping Borja Iglesias’ attempt wide just before Merino got his second in the 57th minute. The Arsenal midfielder rose high to head Alex Grimaldo’s cross into the bottom-left corner.

Aleix Garcia was responsible for the third goal, with his low cross turned into his own net by Chernev 79 minutes in, and after Martin Georgiev caught Merino in the box in stoppage time, Oyarzabal fired his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner to cap a resounding triumph.

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