Spain Dazzle, Germany Bounce Back, Depay Makes History

Image: Reuters

Spain delivered a footballing masterclass in Konya on Sunday, thrashing Turkey 6-0 in a dominant World Cup qualifying performance. Mikel Merino stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick, the first of his professional career as the reigning European champions cruised to their second largest away win in qualifying history.

Barcelona’s Pedri Gonzalez set the tone early, scoring within six minutes and later adding the final goal. Ferran Torres also found the net, but it was Merino’s trio of strikes a slick team move, a composed finish from a Pedri assist, and a sublime top-corner curler that defined Spain’s brilliance.

The only setback for Luis de la Fuente’s side was Nico Williams limping off with a suspected thigh injury. Still, Spain sit comfortably atop Group E with six points from two matches

“I’m thrilled six points, a 6-0 win, and my first-ever hat-trick. It’s not something you see every day,” said Merino.

Germany Regain Their Footing

After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Slovakia, Germany responded with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in Cologne. Serge Gnabry opened the scoring, but Isaac Price leveled for the visitors before halftime, leaving home fans restless.

Substitute Nadiem Amiri restored Germany’s lead in the 69th minute, and Florian Wirtz sealed the win with a beautifully struck free-kick in his hometown.

“Last game was a disaster. We had to improve and we did,” Wirtz told RTL.

Germany and Northern Ireland now sit on three points, trailing Slovakia, who lead Group A after Tomas Rigo’s late winner in Luxembourg.

Depay Breaks Dutch Record

Memphis Depay etched his name into Dutch football history, scoring twice in the Netherlands’ 3-2 victory over Lithuania to become the nation’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals surpassing Robin van Persie.

Now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, Depay’s brace helped Ronald Koeman’s side reach 10 points from four games, edging Poland on goal difference with a game in hand.

Poland kept pace with a 3-1 win over Finland, thanks to goals from Matty Cash, Robert Lewandowski, and Jakub Kaminski.

Belgium and North Macedonia Run Riot

Belgium continued their ruthless form in Group J, hammering Kazakhstan 6-0 in Brussels their second consecutive win by that scoreline. North Macedonia also impressed, dismantling Liechtenstein 5-0 to top the group with 11 points from five matches.

Belgium trail by just one point with a game in hand, while Wales remain in the mix.