FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: Merino double helps Spain beat Bulgaria; Italy confirms play-off spot with victory over Israel

Mikel Merino scored twice as Spain cruised to a 4-0 win over Bulgaria on Tuesday, maintaining their flawless start to European World Cup qualifiers and moving closer to securing a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Merino opened the scoring with a header in the 35th minute and doubled Spain’s lead in the 56th with another header.

Bulgaria’s problems intensified in the 79th minute when defender Atanas Chernev turned a cross into his own net, while Mikel Oyarzabal completed the rout in extra time, converting a penalty after Merino was brought down in the area.

Spain’s dominance in Group E remains unchallenged, with Luis de la Fuente’s side leading the standings with 12 points from four games, scoring 15 goals and conceding none.

It is followed by Turkey with nine points, while Georgia is third with three points. Bulgaria remains bottom of the group after its fourth consecutive defeat.

Italy guarantees a play-off spot for the World Cup

Italy beat Israel 3-0 at home thanks to a double from Mateo Retegui and a late goal from Gianluca Mancini, securing at least a place in the World Cup play-off amid tensions between police and some protesters at a pro-Palestinian march.

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Retegui put Italy ahead just before half-time after making a mistake and converted the resulting penalty. He scored the second in the 74th minute by winning possession on the edge of the area, cutting inside and curling his effort into the top corner.

Defender Mancini scored with a close-range header in second-half stoppage time to round off a comfortable win.

Norway leads Group I with 18 points. Italy are second with 15, six ahead of Israel, who have just one match in hand and cannot overtake Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

The group winner qualifies directly for next year’s World Cup, while the number two advances to the play-offs.

Published on October 15, 2025