Bulgaria loses to European champions Spain in World Cup qualifier

Bulgaria lost 0–4 to European football champion Spain in a World Cup qualifier of Group “E”. Mikel Merino scored twice for Spain. Atanas Chernev scored an own goal 11 minutes before the end of the match. In stoppage time, Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the final score from the penalty spot. Spain could have scored more goals, but goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov made dozens of saves.

Spain remains at the top of the group with 12 points. Bulgaria has 4 losses from 4 matches and no longer has even a theoretical chance of finishing second.

Meanwhile, in Pazardzhik, in the UEFA European U-21 Championship qualifiers, Bulgaria defeated the Czech Republic 2–1. Bulgaria is third in Group “B” with 7 points, two behind Czechia, who suffered their first loss. Portugal leads the group with 12 points.