La Roja delivers a stunning 6-0 statement win in World Cup qualifying, while Germany rebounds with a hard-fought triumph over Northern Ireland.
A magnificent Spain produced a breathtaking performance on Sunday, thrashing Turkey 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Konya, powered by a stunning first career hat-trick from midfielder Mikel Merino.
The European champions were in irresistible form from the start, delivering their second-largest away victory ever in World Cup qualifying. Barcelona’s young playmaker Pedri set the tone, opening the scoring within six minutes and later adding a goal of his own. Ferran Torres also found the net in the dominant display.
But the night belonged to Merino. The Arsenal midfielder’s three goals were a showcase of technical brilliance. His first capped a sublime team move, his second was a coolly slotted finish from a Pedri assist, and he saved his best for last, curling a beautiful shot into the top corner to complete his triple.
The only setback for manager Luis de la Fuente was an apparent thigh injury that forced winger Nico Williams off the pitch. Despite that, the victory leaves Spain sitting comfortably atop Group E with a perfect six points from two games.
“I’m overjoyed with the win, with the six points, and with the way we played,” an elated Merino said after the match. “To score three goals is not normal for me—it’s the first hat-trick of my career.”
Germany Bounces Back with Cologne Victory
Elsewhere, Germany steadied their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home win over Northern Ireland in Cologne, though the path to victory was far from straightforward.
Under pressure after a shocking 2-0 loss to Slovakia just days prior, the Germans started strong with an early Serge Gnabry goal. However, the visitors fought back, leveling the score before halftime through Isaac Price, which drew frustration from the home crowd.
The tension lifted in the final quarter of the match. Substitute Nadiem Amiri restored Germany’s lead in the 69th minute before local hero Florian Wirtz sealed the deal. The Liverpool star, playing in his hometown, whipped a brilliant free-kick into the net to secure Germany’s first three points in Group A.
“We knew our last game was a catastrophe, and we wanted to do better today,” Wirtz told RTL network. “It was a good performance that we can definitely build on.”
The result leaves both Germany and Northern Ireland with three points, while Slovakia leads the group after a narrow 1-0 win in Luxembourg.
Depay Makes History for the Netherlands
In other qualifying action, Memphis Depay etched his name into Dutch football history. The Corinthians forward became the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer with a brace in a 3-2 win over Lithuania.
Depay’s two goals, his 51st and 52nd for his country, moved him past the legendary Robin van Persie. The victory keeps the Netherlands ahead of Poland on goal difference at the top of Group G.
Belgium also made headlines, recording a second consecutive 6-0 win, this time over Kazakhstan. Despite the rout, North Macedonia currently leads Group J, sitting one point ahead of the Belgians and Wales, though Belgium has a game in hand.
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