Spain's Robin Le Normand, left, Mikel Merino, center, and Martín Zubimendi celebrate after Pedri scored their side's 6th goal during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
Turkiye 0-6 Spain, FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers: Merino Hat-Trick Powers La Roja Rout
Mikel Merino scored a hat-trick and Pedri added a brace as Spain routed Turkey 6-0 on Monday (September 8, 2025) to lead in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying's Group E with six points from two matches. Ferran Torres also scored for the defending European champions in the away victory. “I'm proud of these players, of this national team, of how we are representing the country,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. "This team keeps growing and growing, and I’m the first one to be surprised.”
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain's Pedri, left, scores his side's 6th goal past Turkey's Oguz Aydin during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir reacts after Spain's Mikel Merino scoring his side's fifth goal during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain's Ferran Torres, left, scores his side's 4th goal as Turkey's Hakan Çalhanoglu tries to block during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain's Ferran Torres, bottom, is congratulated by Lamine Yamal after scoring his side's 4th goal during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain's Mikel Merino, back, is congratulated after scoring his side's 3rd goal during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Turkey's coach Vincenzo Montella, right, gives instructions during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, bottom, blocks a shot by Spain's Nico Williams during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain's Lamine Yamal, right, dribbles the ball past Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain
| Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra
Spain players celebrate the opening goal scoring by Pedri during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey.
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