Bulgaria failed to resist Spain and lost 0:3 in front of 40,000 spectators at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. The match was the first for both teams in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Ilian Iliev could not use captain Kiril Despodov, who is injured. Emil Tsenov, who started, and Rosen Bozhinov, who came off the bench, made their debuts.

The European champions started us before even five minutes of play had passed. Martin Subimendi brought Mikel Oyarzabal alone against Svetoslav Vutsov, and he had no difficulty overcoming him – 0:1.

Shortly after, Nurnberger made a mistake in the center, Spain organized a counterattack that ended with a corner. Initially, the Bulgarians cleared, but Subimendi returned the ball to the penalty area. Oyarzabal was left alone against Vutsov, but this time the Bulgarian goalkeeper intervened successfully. In the 12th minute, the Bulgarian goalkeeper came out again, saving a shot by Oyarzabal.

Eight minutes later, Radoslav Kirilov received a pass from the left, outplayed Pedro Poro, entered the penalty area and looked for the far corner. The ball was slightly deflected and hit the side post, then went out for a corner. This remained our only chance in the match.

Before half an hour had passed, Bulgaria cracked again. Lamin Yamal received a pass from the right and crossed into the penalty area. Kristian Dimitrov did not intervene properly and the ball ended up in Mark Kukureya. The left-back fired a powerful shot into the far corner and gave Vutsov no chance – 0:2.

In the 38th minute, the Bulgarian defense left Mikel Merino uncovered, who headed the ball home to make it 0:3.

After the break, Svetlyo Vutsov had another good intervention, as the Levski goalkeeper saved a shot by Lamin Yamal, who ended up in a shooting position. In the 53rd minute, the post also saved Bulgaria. Mikel Merino received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shot powerfully, which Svetoslav Vutsov managed to knock into the post with his fingertips.

After about an hour of play, the shots towards Bulgaria's goal became 20, of which 11 were accurate. For us, only two remained, none in the frame behind Unai Simon.

The winner of the "Golden Ball" Rodri, as well as Dani Carvajal, appeared in the game for Spain. The two returned after treatment for injuries. Lamin Yamal was replaced to rest for the team's next match - against Turkey on Sunday in Konya.

No more goals were scored until the end. The result sent the Spaniards to the top of the group, followed by the Turkish team, which -earlier defeated Georgia 3:2, the "lions" are last. In three days we will visit Tbilisi. | BGNES