Spain Responds to Güler’s Threats by Thrashing Turkey with Six Goals

Spain emphatically replied to the pre-match threats of Real Madrid playmaker and Turkish star Arda Güler by crushing his national team 6-0, in Group E of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Güler had declared on the eve of the game that “the Spanish don’t know what awaits them in Turkey,” but the European champions answered in ruthless fashion, delivering a scoring exhibition led by Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino. The Turks suffered their heaviest home defeat since April 4, 1984, when they lost by the same score line in a friendly against Hungary.

Spain, who had beaten Bulgaria 3-0 away in their opening qualifier, extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches. Merino netted a hat-trick in the 22nd, 33rd, and 58th minutes, while Pedri struck twice — opening the scoring with a long-range effort in the 6th minute before sealing the rout in the 63rd. Substitute Ferran Torres added the fourth goal in the 53rd minute. Turkey, meanwhile, fell to their first defeat after starting with a 3-2 win in Georgia.

In the same group, Georgia claimed their first victory with a commanding 3-0 win at home against Bulgaria.

Germany Bounce Back After Slovakia Setback

After a shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opener, Germany responded with a hard-fought 3-1 win at home to Northern Ireland in Group A. 

Serge Gnabry put the hosts ahead in the 7th minute, but Isaac Price equalized for the visitors in the 34th. 

The second half, however, belonged to Germany, with substitute Nadiem Amiri restoring the lead from a David Raum cross in the 69th, before Florian Wirtz curled in a free kick three minutes later (72’).

Elsewhere in the group, Slovakia continued their perfect start with a late 1-0 victory away to Luxembourg, thanks to Tomáš Rigo’s stoppage-time strike. Slovakia now top the group with six points, three clear of both Northern Ireland and Germany.

In Group G, the Netherlands earned their third win in four matches, edging hosts Lithuania 3-2 after racing to a two-goal lead. It was a historic night for Memphis Depay, who became his country’s all-time leading scorer with his 52nd international goal. Quinten Timber scored the third for Ronald Koeman’s side, who bounced back quickly from their disappointing 1-1 home draw with Poland. The Dutch now sit atop the group with 10 points, level with Poland, who defeated Finland 3-1.

Belgium also produced a dominant display, hammering Kazakhstan 6-0 in Group J, with veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku both scoring braces. It was Belgium’s third consecutive victory after their stuttering start with a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia. Since then, they have edged Wales 4-3 and crushed Liechtenstein 6-0.

With 10 points from four matches, the Red Devils climbed to second place on goal difference ahead of Wales, who have played a game more. Belgium trail group leaders North Macedonia by a single point, after the latter reclaimed top spot with a 5-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein in Skopje.

Twelve group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with 48 teams participating for the first time. The final four European spots will be decided through a continental playoff consisting of four separate paths.