Spain delivered a masterclass in Konya as Mikel Merino’s hat-trick inspired a 6-0 demolition of Turkey.
Pedri struck twice, Torres added another, and Yamal dazzled with two brilliant assists.
Mikel Merino scored a sensational hat-trick as Spain crushed Turkey 6-0 in Konya on Sunday, taking early control of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group. Barcelona star Pedri González added a brace, while Ferran Torres also found the net in a performance that underlined Spain’s dominance under Luis de la Fuente.
The victory followed a 3-0 win in Bulgaria last Thursday, leaving La Roja with six points from two matches at the top of Group E.
Arsenal midfielder Merino opened his account midway through the first half with a thunderous finish at the end of a slick Spanish passing move.
He scored his second goal during first-half stoppage time, receiving an assist from Mikel Oyarzabal, and completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute with a stunning curling strike from long range. Oyarzabal played a crucial role in the match, delivering a total of three assists.
Pedri got Spain off to a flying start with a goal in the sixth minute before adding his second later in the first half. The 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal also impressed, setting up Ferran Torres for Spain’s fourth before assisting Merino’s third.
Yamal’s duel with Real Madrid and Turkey star Arda Güler was billed as the match’s headline, but the gulf in class between the teams meant the rivalry never materialised.
Frustration escalated in the second half when Güler pushed a smiling Yamal after the Barcelona winger outmaneuvered him with quick footwork.
The only downside for De la Fuente’s side came when Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams was forced off with a thigh injury before half-time. His condition will be monitored closely with more qualifiers on the horizon.
Spain’s emphatic win was a clear statement of intent as they look to qualify comfortably for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 2010 champions have been tipped among the early favorites, and this performance reinforced their credentials.
With two wins from two, Spain top Group E with six points, ahead of Georgia and Turkey on three each, while Bulgaria sit bottom with no points. For De la Fuente, who guided Spain to Euro 2024 glory, the performance was another step toward building a side capable of challenging for global honors.
“We still have another level to reach,” he had warned after the win in Bulgaria. His players appear determined to prove him right.
