SOFIA, Bulgaria – Spain don land for World Cup 2026 qualifiers, dem face Bulgaria wey dey struggle for the football world. From start, Spain don already show dem serious level as dem dey prepare to enter Group E with Turkey and Georgia.
Since 1974, Spain never miss World Cup, and dem dey try to carry their win to 13 consecutive qualifications. As dem come fresh from their Euro 2024 victory, and also don follow am up with League of Nations win, the Spanish team dey carry serious vibe. With 24 matches without taste of defeat, dem dey enter Sofia with confidence on high.
The return of key players like Dani Carvajal and Rodri Hernández wey dey considered the best for their positions no be play matter. Both players don come back from serious injuries, but coach Luis de la Fuente don wahala for dem to perform well as dem dey eye the starting XI.
But dry news no be for Fabián Ruiz wey no go fit join, plus Gavi and Álex Baena wey dey also sidelined. So, Mikel Merino go take their place to dey jam midfield alongside the ever-important Pedri. And for the attack, fresh blood like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dey show promise, while Mikel Oyarzabal dey show that he sabi inside ball pass Álvaro Morata. E be like sey dem dey ready to deliver correct goals.
Now, make we talk about Bulgaria. The team no dey perform like your mummy before dem enter for last Euro back in 2004. Currently, dem just get one win from their last seven matches, so the fans dey hope say dem fit come for shock like Omo Naija. Their main players like Georgi Milanov, Kiril Despodov, and Ilia Gruev no dey fit manage any real pressure.
The history no de favor Bulgaria at all. Spain don score 23 goals against dem in 5 matches, and dem don win four times with just one draw. The last time dem meet was like 23 years ago, and it no go sweet for Bulgaria as Spain don already stamp their authority early for this match.
Within five minutes, Spain don take advantage. Mikel Oyarzabal strike the first goal smooth as butter after nice assist from Zubimendi, putting the ball for the left corner. The left-back also no wan lose his chance as he score first for the national team when he jumped higher for corner kick from Yamal, increasing the lead sharply.
As Spain dey prepare for their next match against Turkey, Pedri don talk say dem go follow collect each point before e go turn to nightmarish for dem. The 18-year-old Barca star say, “The big star of the team na the team itself, no be just me. We dey all go together.”
With the tournament not get small number of teams participating in 2026 too, Spain go need to step up their game sharper and do wetin dem sabi do best to make sure sey dem fit qualify. The way the tournament dey shape dey show sey dem go need every ounce of skill for the upcoming matches.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
