Football

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.”

2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Robin Le Normand
FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Turkey vs Spain | Photo: AP/Khalil Hamra

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.

2/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Pedri
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.

3/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Ugurcan Cakir
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.

4/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Ferran Torres
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.

5/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Lamine Yamal
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.

6/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Mikel Merino
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.

7/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Vincenzo Montella
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.

8/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Ugurcan Cakir, Nico Williams
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.

9/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Lamine Yamal
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.

10/10
2026 World Cup qualification Europe Turkey vs Spain match_Pedri
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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

CLOSE