Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were both involved in the goals as Spain eased past Bulgaria with a 3-0 win on Thursday.
From Arsenal’s growing contingent of Spanish players, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were both named in a midfield three alongside Pedri away to Bulgaria on Thursday.
The duo had also played in a midfield three together in a frustrating day at Anfield last weekend, but there were no such frustrations on this occasion. Within just five minutes, Zubimendi had already assisted the opening goal.
Receiving the ball a few yards outside a packed penalty area, Zubimendi found Mikel Oyarzabal with a clever pass, and the Real Sociedad striker finished clinically.
Zubimendi should have had another assist for Oyarzabal later in the half, heading a pass through to the striker in open space with only the goalkeeper to beat. But Oyarzabal hesitated and the goalkeeper was quick to close the angle, ultimately saving the shot with his legs.
Instead, Marc Cucurella doubled Spain’s lead, before Merino made it 3-0 with a header from a corner in the 38th minute.
Again, Merino was unlucky only to notch one goal contribution. He saw one shot well blocked on the line in the first half, then another tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper’s fingertips in the second half.
You can watch the highlights from the game here.
Zubimendi ended up coming off in the 62nd minute, whilst Merino completed the full 90. David Raya was benched on this occasion, Kepa Arrizabalaga didn’t receive a call-up, and Cristhian Mosquera is with the Spain u21s.
The match ended 3-0, and attentions will now turn to the next World Cup qualifier, which is an away game against Turkey on Sunday, September 7th at 19:45 BST.