Merino Bags Hat-Trick as Spain Demolish Turkey 6-0

Mikel Merino scores first career hat-trick in Spain’s 6-0 win over Turkey.
Pedri grabs two goals; Torres also on target as Spain dominate Group E.
Nico Williams injured, Yamal and Güler clash late in fiery encounter.

Spain delivered a dominant performance on Sunday night, thrashing Turkey 6-0 in Konya to take early control of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino was the star of the night, scoring a brilliant hat-trick the first of his career as Luis de la Fuente’s men extended their perfect start in Group E with two wins from two matches.

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Barcelona midfielder Pedri Gonzalez added a brace, while Ferran Torres also got on the scoresheet in a match that Spain controlled from start to finish.

Coming off a 3-0 win over Bulgaria on Thursday, coach De la Fuente had said his team had more to give — and they proved him right with a ruthless display.

“We knew we had to set the pace early, and that’s what we did. We maintained the same energy until the final whistle, and I think the score shows that.” Pedri said after the game.

Pedri opened the scoring just six minutes in with a composed finish, before Merino added his first goal after a sharp passing move cut through Turkey’s defence.

Merino doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time after being set up by Mikel Oyarzabal, who notched three assists in total.

Turkey almost pulled one back through Kerem Akturkoglu after being set up by Arda Güler, but the effort came off the post and Güler was later ruled offside in the build-up.

Spain’s only concern came when Nico Williams limped off with a suspected thigh injury just before halftime.

In the second half, Lamine Yamal, 18, set up Torres for the fourth goal before assisting Merino’s third — a superb long-range strike that completed his hat-trick.

“It feels great winning like this, picking up six points, and scoring three goals… that’s a big moment for me. It’s the first hat-trick of my career,” Merino said.

Yamal himself missed two good chances and drew attention for a tense moment with Güler, who shoved him in frustration late in the game. De la Fuente subbed Yamal off shortly after to avoid further drama.

The coach also handed a debut to Rayo Vallecano winger Jorge de Frutos in the final 20 minutes.

With the result, Spain now sit on six points, ahead of Georgia and Turkey with three each. Bulgaria remain bottom of the group with no points.

La Roja, 2010 World Cup champions, look to be in top form as they aim for another title run in the 2026 tournament set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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