Spain cruises to a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Euro 2024 Qualifiers, with Cucurella’s powerful strike highlighting a dominant performance. The victory boosts Spain’s qualifying hopes amid a competitive group stage.
Football fans across Europe were treated to a masterclass on Tuesday night as Spain rolled past Bulgaria with a convincing 3-0 victory in their latest Euro 2024 Qualifier. The match, held at a raucous Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, showcased Spain’s trademark possession play, clinical finishing, and defensive solidity—all hallmarks of a team with serious ambitions to lift the Euro 2024 trophy in Germany next summer. For Bulgaria, the result extends a tough run in the group, leaving their qualifying chances hanging by a thread. But make no mistake: this night belonged to La Roja, and one man in particular—Marc Cucurella—stealed the spotlight with a goal that’s already trending across Twitter and Facebook.
Cucurella’s Thunderbolt: The Moment That Ignited Spain’s Onslaught
It didn’t take long for Spain to assert control, but the breakthrough moment came in the 27th minute, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Marc Cucurella, the Chelsea left-back on loan at Brighton, has been a steady presence for Spain in recent months, but he turned into a goal-scoring hero against Bulgaria. Picking up the ball just outside the penalty area after a Bulgaria clearance, Cucurella took one touch to set himself before unleashing a ferocious right-footed strike that sailed past Bulgaria’s goalkeeper, Georgi Georgiev, and into the top corner. The crowd erupted—fans in the stands jumped to their feet, and social media blew up instantly, with #CucurellaStunner and #Spain3-0 trending within minutes on Twitter.
For Cucurella, the goal was more than just a highlight reel moment; it was a statement. “This is what you dream of as a kid—scoring for your country in a qualifier, in front of fans like this,” he told reporters after the match. “The team played amazing tonight, and I’m just glad I could contribute. We know how important these points are, and we’re not taking anything for granted.” The strike also drew praise from Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, who called it “a goal of pure quality—exactly the kind of ambition we want from our players.”
Spain’s Dominance: Possession, Pressing, and Clinical Finishing
While Cucurella’s goal grabbed the headlines, Spain’s performance was a complete team effort—one that showcased why they’re among the favorites for Euro 2024. From the first whistle, La Roja controlled the tempo, keeping over 70% of the possession in the first half alone. Bulgaria, to their credit, tried to press high early on, but Spain’s midfield trio of Rodri, Gavi, and Pedri was too composed, picking apart the Bulgarian defense with quick passes and smart movement.
The second goal came just 10 minutes into the second half, and it was a thing of beauty. Gavi, the 19-year-old Barcelona prodigy, dribbled past two Bulgarian defenders before sliding a perfect through ball to Marco Asensio. The Paris Saint-Germain winger made no mistake, slotting the ball past Georgiev to double Spain’s lead. By then, the game was all but over, but Spain wasn’t done. In the 78th minute, substitute Ferran Torres put the cherry on top, tapping in a cross from Dani Olmo to make it 3-0. It was Torres’ first goal in the qualifying campaign, and it’s a sign that Spain’s attack—already stacked with talent—has even more depth than fans realized.
Defensively, Spain was just as impressive. Bulgaria managed only two shots on target all night, both of which were easily saved by goalkeeper Unai Simón. Cucurella, playing at left-back, wasn’t just a goal-scorer—he also made four tackles and three interceptions, shutting down Bulgaria’s right-wing threat completely. “Our defense was rock solid,” de la Fuente said. “When you can keep a clean sheet and score three goals, you know you’ve had a good night.”
What This Win Means for Euro 2024 Qualifying: Spain’s Hopes, Bulgaria’s Struggles
For Spain, this 3-0 victory is a huge boost in their quest to qualify for Euro 2024. The team now sits at the top of Group A with 15 points from six games, three points ahead of second-place Croatia. With four games left, Spain is in pole position to secure an automatic spot in the tournament—and if they keep playing like this, they could wrap up qualification as early as next month. “We’re taking it one game at a time,” Rodri said after the match. “Croatia is a great team, and we know the next few games won’t be easy. But tonight, we showed what we’re capable of.”
For Bulgaria, the result is a bitter blow. The team has now lost four of their six qualifying games, picking up just three points. With little chance of catching Spain or Croatia, Bulgaria’s Euro 2024 dreams are all but over. Manager Mladen Krstajić was honest in his post-match press conference: “We were outclassed tonight. Spain is a top team, and we couldn’t match their intensity or quality. We have a lot of work to do, but right now, it’s hard to see a way back for us.”
As the final whistle blew, the Estadio de La Cartuja erupted in chants of “¡España! ¡España!” Fans poured out of the stadium, posting videos and photos on Facebook and Twitter, celebrating a win that feels like a turning point in Spain’s qualifying campaign. For Cucurella, Asensio, and the rest of the team, this is just the start. Euro 2024 is still months away, but on Tuesday night, Spain sent a clear message to the rest of Europe: they’re back, and they’re ready to compete for the trophy.