Mikel Merino delivered a career-defining performance on Sunday as Spain overwhelmed Turkey 6-0 in World Cup qualifying, with the Arsenal midfielder scoring his first professional hat-trick.
The reigning European champions produced one of their most dominant away victories in Konya, marking their second-largest triumph on foreign soil in World Cup qualifying history.
Spain wasted no time asserting control, with Pedri González opening the scoring in just the sixth minute. Merino then took center stage, his first goal capping off a brilliant team move, while his second came from a perfectly measured finish off Pedri’s assist. He completed the treble with a stunning curling strike into the top corner, leaving the Turkish defense helpless. Ferran Torres also got on the scoresheet, and Pedri rounded off the night with his second goal, sealing an emphatic win.
The only downside for Luis de la Fuente’s men was the loss of Nico Williams, who was forced off with a suspected thigh injury. Nevertheless, Spain’s six points from their first two matches leave them comfortably atop Group E. Reflecting on the occasion, Merino said, “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.”
Elsewhere in the group, Georgia joined Turkey on three points after a 3-0 home win against Bulgaria in Tbilisi. Captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led by example, scoring alongside Nika Gagnidze and Georges Mikautadze to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In Cologne, Germany bounced back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat in Slovakia to claim a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland. The home side started brightly through Serge Gnabry’s opener, but West Bromwich Albion midfielder Isaac Price leveled before halftime. Frustration grew among the German fans as Julian Nagelsmann’s side struggled to find a breakthrough until substitute Nadiem Amiri converted David Raum’s cross in the 69th minute.
Florian Wirtz, the local favorite playing in his home city, then sealed the win with a spectacular free-kick, underlining his rising star status. “We knew it was a catastrophe (in the) last game and we wanted to do things better,” Wirtz told RTL. “It was a good performance (which) we can definitely build on.” The result lifted Germany to three points, level with Northern Ireland, while Slovakia maintained their lead in Group A with six points after Tomas Rigo’s late strike earned them a narrow 1-0 win in Luxembourg.
The night also belonged to Memphis Depay, who became the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer by netting twice in a 3-2 win over Lithuania. Playing for Corinthians in Brazil, Depay overtook Robin van Persie’s record of 50 international goals, taking his tally to 52. He scored first by finishing a Cody Gakpo assist, before Quinten Timber added a second for the Oranje.
Lithuania, ranked 143rd in the world, shocked the Dutch by equalizing through Gvidas Gineitis and Edvinas Girdvainis before halftime. But Depay restored order, heading in Denzel Dumfries’ cross to secure the victory. Ronald Koeman’s side now sit on 10 points after four matches, edging Poland on goal difference with a game in hand. Poland had earlier defeated Finland 3-1, with goals from Matty Cash, Robert Lewandowski, and Jakub Kaminski. Benjamin Kaellman netted Finland’s consolation.
Belgium continued their impressive form with another 6-0 demolition, this time against Kazakhstan in Brussels. Kevin De Bruyne struck twice, moving into second place on his nation’s all-time scorers list behind Romelu Lukaku. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku also grabbed a brace, while Nicolas Raskin and Thomas Meunier completed the rout. North Macedonia, meanwhile, cruised past Liechtenstein 5-0 and lead Group J with 11 points from five games, sitting one point ahead of Belgium, who have a game in hand, and Wales.
What You Should Know
Mikel Merino’s first professional hat-trick powered Spain to a commanding 6-0 victory over Turkey, keeping them firmly in control of Group E. In Cologne, Florian Wirtz showcased his talent with a decisive free-kick as Germany bounced back against Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Memphis Depay etched his name in Dutch football history, becoming the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer.
Across Europe, Belgium and North Macedonia also impressed with dominant wins, shaping the early momentum in World Cup qualifying.
