Spain opened the scoring against Bulgaria with a goal from Mikel Oyarzabal at the 4th minute of the first half, in a match valid for the first round of Group E in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The game, held at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 3:45 PM (Brasília time), marks the debut of both teams in the competition. La Furia, led by Luis de la Fuente, has shown technical superiority since the opening whistle, while the Bulgarians, under Ilian Iliev, rely on a defensive stance to counter the pressure. The ongoing match is broadcast live on SporTV and Disney+. Spain aims to lead the group, which also includes Turkey and Georgia, while Bulgaria seeks an upset after a long winless streak.
Spain’s dominance was clear from the early minutes, controlling possession and creating clear chances. Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona star, was key in setting up the goal, dribbling down the right and starting the play that led to Oyarzabal’s strike. Bulgaria, winless since November 2024, struggles to cross the halfway line and relies on sporadic counterattacks.
- Key moments so far:
- 4’: Oyarzabal’s goal after a move by Lamine Yamal and an assist from Zubimendi.
- 9’: Yamal falls in the box, but no foul is called.
- 11’: Oyarzabal nearly scores again but mishandles the finish.
- 19’: Kirilov’s dangerous shot grazes the post.
Spanish attack in focus
Spain fielded a strong lineup, bolstered by the return of key players like Carvajal and Rodri, both recovered from serious knee injuries. The team employs a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing wing play led by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Oyarzabal’s goal at the 4th minute reflects Spain’s offensive efficiency, pressing Bulgaria’s defense with quick passing and constant movement. Pedri has controlled the midfield with vision and precise passes, creating opportunities for the forwards.
Bulgaria, also in a 4-3-3 but with a defensive setup, has struggled to maintain possession. Coach Ilian Iliev fielded players like Gruev and Kirilov, aiming to hold off Spain’s attack and exploit counterattacks. So far, however, Bulgaria has failed to pose a consistent threat.
- Players in focus in the first half:
- Lamine Yamal: Dribbles and decisive plays on the right.
- Oyarzabal: Scored the goal and is the main attacking reference.
- Pedri: Controls the midfield with precise passing.
- Kirilov: Bulgaria’s main threat with a dangerous shot.
Early pressure and Bulgarian response
In the first 10 minutes, Spain dominated with 70% possession and at least three dangerous shots. The goal came from Yamal’s individual brilliance, dribbling past Nürnberger and finding Zubimendi, who assisted Oyarzabal. Bulgaria, caught off guard by Spain’s intensity, retreated and relied on goalkeeper Vutsov’s key interventions.
At the 19th minute, Bulgaria had their best chance when Kirilov received a long ball, dribbled past Pedro Porro, and fired a shot that grazed the post. The moment energized the home crowd at Vasil Levski Stadium, pushing for a reaction. Still, Bulgaria’s lack of cohesion and Spain’s pressure hinder their offensive efforts.
Head-to-head history
The matchup between Bulgaria and Spain favors La Furia. In five previous encounters, Spain won four times, with one draw recorded. Bulgaria has never beaten Spain, adding pressure on the hosts to pull off an upset. Recent games have seen high-scoring affairs, with four of the last five matches exceeding 2.5 goals.
- Historical stats:
- 4 Spanish wins.
- 1 draw.
- Average of 2.8 goals per match in head-to-heads.
- Last game: 1-1 draw in 1998.
Group E context
Group E of the European qualifiers includes Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, and Georgia. Earlier, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-2, taking the temporary group lead. A win today is crucial for Spain to assert their favoritism. The team, runners-up in the recent Nations League, aims for their 13th consecutive World Cup appearance. Bulgaria, absent from the World Cup since 1998, faces a steep challenge in this competitive group.
Spain arrives buoyed by recent successes, like the 2024 Euro title, with a mix of young talents like Yamal and veterans like Rodri. Bulgaria, in a rebuilding phase, relies on a young squad led by Ilia Gruev but struggles after recent poor results, including a 4-0 loss to Greece in a friendly.
- Group E standings:
- Turkey: 3 points (1 game).
- Spain: 0 points (game ongoing).
- Bulgaria: 0 points (game ongoing).
- Georgia: 0 points (1 game).
Detailed match timeline
The game began with Spain setting the pace, while Bulgaria focuses on defending and exploiting mistakes. Below are the key moments up to the 22nd minute of the first half:
- 1’: Pedri crosses to Oyarzabal, but Vutsov comes off his line to claim the ball.
- 2’: Lamine Yamal attempts a powerful cross, but it goes out of bounds.
- 4’: Spain’s goal! Oyarzabal scores after Zubimendi’s assist, set up by Yamal.
- 9’: Yamal falls in the box after a challenge, but the referee sees no foul.
- 19’: Kirilov nearly equalizes for Bulgaria with a shot grazing the post.
Expectations for the rest of the match
With the score at 1-0, Spain maintains control, but Bulgaria showed signs of a comeback with Kirilov’s effort. La Furia is likely to keep relying on possession and the speed of Yamal and Williams on the wings, while Bulgaria needs to push forward to equalize. Coach Ilian Iliev may turn to substitutes like Despodov to spark the attack.
The home crowd at Vasil Levski Stadium is trying to rally the team, but facing a Spanish side blending youth and experience is a tall order. The game remains open, with chances for more goals, especially given the high-scoring history of both teams in recent matches.
