Spain's forward #11 Ferran Torres (CL) celebrates with Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal (CR) after scoring Spain's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E qualification football match between Turkey and Spain at the Konya Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium, in Konya, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)
Mikel Merino scored a hat trick as Spain thrashed Turkey 6-0 on Sunday to take command of Group E in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri González added two goals, while Ferran Torres also found the net. Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, leads the group with six points from two matches after a 3-0 victory in Bulgaria on Thursday.
“We knew we had to come out strongly from the start and that’s what we did, dominating,” Pedri said. “I think the team was able to keep that intensity through to the end of the game and the result reflects that.”
The match was billed as a showcase for teenage stars Lamine Yamal of Spain and Arda Güler of Turkey, but the gulf in quality left little room for comparison. Pedri opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Arsenal’s Merino struck his first. Güler later created a chance for Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who hit the post but was offside.
Merino added his second just before halftime, set up by Mikel Oyarzabal, who finished with three assists. Yamal provided the pass for Torres in the 53rd minute and then teed up Merino’s curling third.
“I’m very happy for winning, to pick up six points, for doing it in this way, and for scoring three goals, which is not normal — the first hat trick of my career,” Merino said.
Spain’s only setback came when Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams limped off with an apparent thigh injury.
Tensions flared late as Güler shoved Yamal with Turkey six goals down, before the 18-year-old was substituted. Spain finished the match by handing a debut to Rayo Vallecano winger Jorge de Frutos.
Spain, champions in 2010, made clear they intend to be contenders at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They lead the group with six points, while Georgia and Turkey have three each. Bulgaria is bottom with none.