Spain Dominates Bulgaria in World Cup Qualifier, Oyarzabal Shines
September 4, 2025
Spain cruised to a decisive 3-0 victory over Bulgaria on Thursday in their opening match of the World Cup qualification campaign, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the charge. the Real Sociedad captain’s performance has sparked renewed debate about his place among Spain’s all-time greats.
Oyarzabal’s Opening Goal Sets the Tone
Oyarzabal’s early goal, his 17th for the national team, not only opened the scoring but also saw him equal Lálagara as the top Guipuzcoan scorer for Spain. Since Luis de la Fuente took over as manager, Oyarzabal has notched an extraordinary 11 goals, surpassing even Álvaro Morata. This consistent form reinforces the argument that he is currently Spain’s most potent striker.
The match, played at the Vasil Levski Stadium, was largely a one-sided affair. Spain’s high-pressing game and relentless attack proved too much for the Bulgarian side, currently ranked 84th in the FIFA rankings.The gulf in quality was evident,a stark contrast to the Bulgarian team that reached the 1994 World Cup semifinals,featuring legends like Hristo Stoichkov.
Midfield Maestro Zubimendi Pulls the Strings
Oyarzabal’s goal was a testament to Spain’s fluid attacking play, culminating in a superb assist from martín Zubimendi. Zubimendi, starting ahead of Rodri, showcased his exceptional vision and passing range, leaving manager Luis de la Fuente with a selection headache when Rodri returns to the squad. This situation is akin to an NFL team having two quarterbacks capable of leading the offense, a good problem to have.
Spain’s dominance was so complete that Bulgarian fans reportedly applauded when their team managed to clear the ball. The few times Bulgaria ventured into Spain’s half, they were quickly dispossessed. One exception was a shot against the post by Kirilov, a left-winger from Sofia Levski.
Cucurella and Merino Add to Bulgaria’s Woes
Marc Cucurella scored his first international goal with a powerful left-footed strike, while Mikel Merino added a third with a header from a corner. By halftime, the game was effectively over.
The second half saw a slight drop in tempo,with Spain content to control possession and manage the game. Rodri and Dani Carvajal, returning from injury, were given valuable minutes to regain match fitness. Jesús Rodríguez, a recent signing from Real betis, also made his debut for the national team.
Looking Ahead: Spain’s world Cup Qualification Path
while the victory over Bulgaria was thorough, tougher challenges lie ahead in the World Cup qualification campaign. Spain will need to maintain this level of performance against stronger opponents to secure their place in the tournament. The emergence of players like Zubimendi and the consistent goal-scoring form of Oyarzabal provide a solid foundation for future success.
One area for further investigation is how Spain will integrate Rodri back into the starting lineup alongside Zubimendi. Can they play together effectively, or will de la Fuente have to make a difficult choice? This is a similar dilemma to what NBA coaches face when trying to balance the playing time of multiple star players.
The convincing win against Bulgaria demonstrates Spain’s potential,but consistency and adaptability will be key to their World Cup qualification hopes.The team’s blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talents makes them a team to watch in the coming months.
