International
Mikel Merino bagged a goal and Martin Zubimendi produced an assist as Spain got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win in Bulgaria.
In a dominant first half, Zubimendi helped get the scoring underway, setting up Mikel Oyarzabal with a fine through ball. Chelsea's Marc Cucurella doubled the lead before Merino's header made it 3-0 before half-time - his fifth goal for his country.
Spain head to Turkey for their second group stage match, with both sides on three points apiece.
Elsewhere in Europe, **Leandro Trossard** came off the bench in a 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein. Leo replaced Kevin De Bruyne on 67 minutes as goals from Maxim De Cuyper, Arthur Theate, De Bruyne, Malick Fofana, and two from Youri Tielemans sealed the win for the Red Devils.
**Martin Odegaard** looked bright as he played the first half in Norway's 1-0 win over Finland in an international friendly. Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Andreas Schjelderup was felled. Norway turn their attentions to World Cup qualifying, hosting Moldova next week. **Jurrien Timber** was an unused substitute in Netherlands' 1-1 draw at home to Poland.
Over in South America, **Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes** and **Piero Hincapie** all started their respective World Cup qualifiers.
New signing Piero played the full 90 minutes in Ecuador's 0-0 draw in Paraguay, enough to give the hosts the point they needed to qualify for the World Cup next year.
Piero is part of a backline that has conceded just five goals in 17 World Cup qualifiers, the best on the continent, keeping 12 clean sheets in the process. Piero and Ecuador round off qualifying by hosting Argentina.
In Brazil, our Gabis stepped out at the Maracana in a routine victory over Chile. Big Gabi played the full 90 minutes, with Martinelli coming off on 71 minutes for Lucas Paqueta. The West Ham United attacker netted, with goals from Estevao and Bruno Guimaraes also scoring in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil finish qualifying with a trip to Bolivia.
**Thursday, September 4** Norway 1-0 Finland
Friendly | Odegaard plays first half
Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium
World Cup qualifier | Trossard played 23 minutes as a substitute
Bulgaria 0-3 Spain
World Cup qualifier | Merino scores, Zubimendi assists, Raya an unused sub
Netherlands 1-1 Poland
World Cup qualifier | Timber an unused sub
**Friday, September 5**Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
World Cup qualifier | Hincapie played full 90 minutes
Brazil 3-0 Chile
World Cup qualifier | Gabriel played full 90 minutes, Martinelli played 72 minutes
Spain U21 (Mosquera) v Cyprus
Euro U21 qualifier | Soria | 7pm
Italy v Estonia (Calafiori)
World Cup qualifier | Bergamo | 7.45pm
Slovenia v Sweden (Gyokeres)
World Cup qualifier | Ljubljana | 7.45pm
**Saturday, September 6** England v Andorra (Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Eze, Madueke)
World Cup qualifier | Birmingham | 5pm
**Sunday, September 7** Lithuania v Netherlands (Timber)
World Cup qualifier | Kaunas | 5pm
Belgium v Kazakhstan (Trossard)
World Cup qualifier | Brussels | 7.45pm
Turkey v Spain (Raya, Merino, Zubimendi)
World Cup qualifier | Konya | 7.45pm
**Monday, September 8** Kazakhstan U21 v England U21 (Nwaneri)
Euro U21 Qualifier | Pavlodar | 4pm
Israel v Italy (Calafiori)
World Cup qualifier | Debrecen, Hungary | 7.45pm
Kosovo v Sweden (Gyokeres)
World Cup qualifier | Pristina | 7.45pm
**Tuesday, September 9** Kosovo v Spain U21 (Mosquera)
Euro U21 qualifier | Pristina | 6pm
Norway v Moldova (Odegaard)
World Cup qualifier | Oslo | 7.45pm
Serbia v England (Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Eze, Madueke)
World Cup qualifier | Belgrade | 7.45pm
**Wednesday, September 10** Ecuador (Hincapie) v Argentina
World Cup qualifier | Guayaquil | 12am
Bolivia v Brazil (Gabriel, Martinelli)
World Cup qualifier | El Alto | 12:30am
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