Spain had a flawless start to World Cup qualifying with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at the Stadion Vasil Levski, a result that puts Luis de la Fuente’s side top of Group E.
All three goals came in a devastating first-half display that left the hosts chasing shadows and the scoreline could easily have been heavier.
It took La Roja just five minutes to find the breakthrough. Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi threaded a through-ball into the path of Mikel Oyarzabal, who slotted past Dimitar Vutsov to make it 1-0.
Spain doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through an unlikely source. A Yamal cross was only half-cleared and fell kindly for Marc Cucurella, who unleashed a thunderous drive from inside the box that arrowed into the top corner.
Seven minutes later, Spain wrapped up the points. Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger who was a menace throughout, swung in a corner that Mikel Merino rose highest to meet, guiding a header beyond Vutsov for 3-0.
Bulgaria briefly threatened through Radoslav Kirilov, who struck the post midway through the half after turning sharply inside the Spanish defence. But Ilian Iliev’s side rarely saw the ball and finished the match with just 22% possession and an expected goals tally of 0.10 – a stark contrast to Spain’s 24 attempts, 78% possession, and xG of 3.33.
The second half followed the same pattern, though Spain’s finishing touch deserted them. Yamal came closest, first denied by Vutsov after capitalising on a defensive mistake, and later seeing another tame effort pushed away by the Bulgarian goalkeeper.
Merino also forced a superb save, his powerful strike tipped onto the bar in what proved to be Bulgaria’s let-off.
Luis de la Fuente used the comfortable cushion to rotate his side, introducing Dani Olmo, Rodri and Dani Carvajal among others.
Olmo thought he had a chance to add a fourth late on but was halted by the referee’s whistle after minimal contact on Gruev inside the box.
At the other end, substitute Vladimir Nikolov’s promising run was cut short by the offside flag, Bulgaria’s frustration summed up by their failure to muster a shot on target.
