Slovakia Upsets Germany Spain Wins Bulgaria World Cup Qualifiers

Spain began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Bulgaria, showcasing strong performances from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino, who scored the goals. Lamine Yamal impressed with his playmaking, creating multiple chances and contributing significantly to Spain's control of the match. Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente reintroduced Dani Carvajal and Rodri Hernandez after their injury recoveries, further strengthening the squad. The team maintained their tactical dominance, with 24 shots and an expected goals value of 3.33, while Bulgaria managed only three attempts and an xG of 0.1. This win extended Spain's unbeaten streak under de la Fuente to 21 matches, surpassing the previous record. Meanwhile, in Group A, Germany suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, placing immediate pressure on them as they face Northern Ireland and Luxembourg in upcoming fixtures.