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Spain had an impeccable start to qualify in the World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski stadium, a result that puts the side of the E. group of Luis de la Fuente
All three goals came to a devastating screen of the first half that left the hosts chasing the shadows and the score could have been heavier.
It took the red only five minutes to find the advance. The arsenal midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, turned a ball on Mikel Oyarzabal’s road, which passed in front of Dimitar Vutsov to make the 1-0.
Spain doubled its advantage at the half -hour mark by an unlikely source. A Yamal cross was only nailed and fell kindly for Marc Cucurella, who triggered a shaking from inside the box that flowed in the upper corner.
Seven minutes later, Spain finished the points. Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona Winger, a threat everywhere, turned on a corner that Mikel Merino got up higher to meet, guiding a head beyond Vutsov 3-0.
Bulgaria briefly threatened through Radoslav Kirilov, who struck the post halfway after turning abruptly to the Spanish defense. But Ilian’s side rarely saw the ball and finished the game with only 22% possession and a expected goal of 0.10, a strong contrast with the 24 attempts in Spain, 78% possession and the XG of 3.33.
The second half followed the same pattern, although the final touch of Spain abandoned them. Yamal approached Vutsov for the first time after capitalizing -in a defensive error, and then saw another domestic effort away from the Bulgarian goalkeeper.
Merino also forced excellent savings, his powerful strike was leaning on the bar in which he turned out to be Bulgaria.
Luis de la Fuente used the comfortable pillow to turn his side, introducing Dani Olmo, Rodri and Dani Carvajal among others.
Olmo thought he had the opportunity to add a quarter late, but was stopped by the referee’s whistle after a minimum contact in Gruev inside the box.
At the other end, the promising throw from Vladimir Nikolov’s substitute was reduced by the flag outside, the frustration of Bulgaria summarized by his lack of combining a shot in the goal.
