Mikel Merino scored a brilliant hat-trick as Spain overpowered hosts Turkey 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday, maintaining their perfect start to Group E.
The European champions were in complete control from start to finish, their pace and precision repeatedly dismantling a helpless Turkish defence that struggled to cope with counter-attacks.
Spain struck early when Pedri opened the scoring in the sixth minute, coolly slotting past Ugurcan Cakir. Merino doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, finishing off a flowing move inside the box. He struck again in first-half stoppage time, converting a pull-back to give Spain a 3-0 advantage at the break.
Turkey’s misery deepened after the restart as Ferran Torres led a blistering counter-attack from a corner, capping it with a sharp finish to make it four in the 53rd minute.
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Merino completed his hat-trick four minutes later with a stunning left-footed curler from distance that soared into the top corner for Spain’s fifth. Pedri sealed the rout in the 62nd minute, arriving unmarked to tap home his second of the night.
The emphatic win leaves Spain top of the group with six points from two matches, while Turkey and Georgia are tied on three points each. Earlier on Sunday, Georgia defeated Bulgaria 3-0.
