Bulgaria 0-3 Spain Player Ratings: Marc Cucurella Rated 9/10 as La Roja Cruise to a Dominant 3-0 Victory

From the moment the first whistle blew for the match between the Spanish football team and the Bulgarian football team, it was clear this was going to be Spain's night, as the hosts were coming off a few losses. They produced a performance of utter dominance against a beleaguered Bulgarian national side, wrapping up the points long before the halftime break. This European qualification encounter at the Vasil Levski Stadium was a showcase of Spanish dominance after Luis de la Fuente took over as the head coach.

We saw the tone set almost immediately as the whistle was blown by the on-pitch referee to start the match.

Spanish player Mikel Oyarzabal's fifth-minute strike, a clinical finish, opened the floodgates and you could see the confidence drain from the home side after the match went into the second quarter. The midfield trio of Barcelona midfielder Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino was simply on another level, dictating the tempo with an almost arrogant ease. It felt like they had an extra player in there making chances up top for players like Nico Williams and the best young player in 2025 Lamine Yamal.

The second and third goals came before the break, thanks to Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino, effectively ending the match as a contest. While Spain toyed with their opponents, Bulgaria's only real resistance came from their goalkeeper, Svetoslav Vutsov, who was the only positive the hosts had in the fixture, he single-handedly prevented a complete humiliation. It was a tough watch for the home fans. Let's check how other players performed in the match.

Here are our Bulgaria vs Spain Player Ratings:

Bulgaria Player Ratings vs Spain

Here are our Bulgaria Player Ratings vs Spain

Goalkeeper

Svetoslav Vutsov - 8.0: The only reason this wasn't a cricket score. Vutsov was absolutely peppered all night and stood tall, making a remarkable eight saves. He was decisive, brave, and commanded his area well despite the chaos in front of him. Without him, we could have been looking at six or seven goals. He was easily Bulgaria's best player, a truly valiant effort in a crushing defeat.

Defenders

Kristian Dimitrov - 4.5: A very difficult night for the defender. While he racked up eight clearances, he was also responsible for an error that led to a shot and was part of a backline that just couldn't cope. He looked a step behind the Spanish attackers all game long. It was a baptism of fire and one he struggled with immensely.

Fabian Nürnberger - 3.5: From our perspective, this was a disastrous performance. Being dribbled past six times in just 62 minutes is a statistic no defender wants. He was targeted repeatedly and offered almost no resistance. He was completely out of his depth and his substitution was a mercy.

Emil Tsenov - 6.5: A rare glimmer of competence in the Bulgarian defence. What stood out to us were his 10 clearances and a crucial clearance off the line. He read the danger better than his teammates and fought until the end. It wasn't enough to stem the tide, but he can hold his head a little higher than the rest.

Anton Nedyalkov - 5.0: The captain looked overwhelmed and couldn't organize the shambolic defense. He made a couple of tackles but was often caught out of position and lost possession cheaply. You expect more leadership in such a tough situation but he seemed as lost as everyone else.

Midfielders

Ilia Gruev - 6.0: A battler in a losing cause. He won an impressive number of his duels and tried to break up play, but was fighting a one-man war in midfield. His efforts were tireless, but he was ultimately swamped by the sheer quality of the Spanish midfield. He did the dirty work but couldn't impact the game.

Vasil Panayotov - 4.0: Completely anonymous. To have only six touches in 45 minutes as a starting midfielder is shocking. He was a passenger for the entire first half. His substitution was no surprise as he offered absolutely nothing to his team.

Ivaylo Chochev - 5.5: He competed physically, winning a lot of headers, but that was about it. He lacked the quality on the ball to make a difference and was largely bypassed by the game. A hardworking but ineffective display before being taken off.

Forwards

Aleksandar Kolev - 5.0: A thankless, isolating job. He worked hard and drew some fouls but was starved of service. Losing possession 19 times tells the story of a striker chasing shadows and feeding on scraps. He never stopped running but it was a fruitless endeavor.

Radoslav Kirilov - 5.0: Had one bright moment when he hit the woodwork, which was Bulgaria's best chance of the night. Other than that he was on the periphery of the game. He was caught offside twice and just couldn't get involved in any meaningful way.

Nikolay Minkov - 5.5: Nominally an attacker, but his stats show he spent most of the match defending. He was diligent in tracking back but offered no threat going forward. His performance summed up Bulgaria's game plan: damage limitation.

Substitutes

Marin Petkov - 5.5: Came on at halftime but couldn't change the game's trajectory.

Rosen Bozhinov - 5.0: Slotted into a defense that was already beaten.

Vladimir Nikolov - 5.0: Ran around but saw little of the ball.

Martin Minchev - 5.0: Had no impact.

Georgi Milanov - N/A: Came on too late to rate.

Manager

G. Donkov - 4.0: His team was tactically outclassed from start to finish. There was no clear plan to counter Spain's strengths or to pose a threat of their own. The team looked disorganized and demoralized. A very poor showing from the dugout.

Spain Player Ratings vs Bulgaria

Here are Spain Player Ratings vs Bulgaria

Goalkeeper

Unai Simón - 6.0: Had one of the quietest nights of his career. He completed all 12 of his passes and that was about it. He was a spectator for 90 minutes. It's impossible to give him a high rating when he wasn't tested once.

Defenders

Robin Le Normand - 4.5: A surprisingly poor half from the defender. He was clumsy, committed several fouls, and picked up a deserved yellow card. What stood out was his discomfort, and it wasn't a shock to see him hooked at halftime. A performance to forget.

Dean Huijsen - 8.0: Looked incredibly composed for a player making his mark. He was a rock at the back and masterful on the ball, completing 97 passes. He strode out of defence with confidence and looked every bit a future star for Spain. A very impressive full debut.

Pedro Porro - 7.0: A really solid and professional performance. He was defensively sound and supported the attack well, even creating a big chance. He didn't put a foot wrong before being substituted to a well-earned rest. A reliable display.

Marc Cucurella - 9.0: Our man of the match. He was simply superb. He scored a great goal, his passing was crisp and incisive, and he was a constant outlet on the left flank. He balanced his defensive and attacking duties perfectly. A complete performance from the fullback.

Midfielders

Mikel Merino - 8.5: An all-action display. He grabbed a poacher's goal from a corner and was a constant threat, firing off five shots. He dominated the midfield battle physically and his quality on the ball was undeniable. Hit the woodwork too, he was unlucky not to have a second goal.

Martín Zubimendi - 8.5: The conductor of the orchestra for the hour he was on. He was flawless. He controlled the game's tempo, broke up play, and delivered a perfect assist for the opening goal. His performance was a masterclass in defensive midfield play.

Pedri - 8.5: The heart of everything Spain did well. With 144 touches and 130 passes, he was everywhere. His vision and ability to keep the ball under pressure are just world class. He ran the show effortlessly, making the game look simple.

Forwards

Nico Williams - 7.0: A livewire performance on the left. His pace and directness terrified the Bulgarian defence. However, his final product was a little inconsistent, and he'll be disappointed not to have scored or assisted. A good performance that lacked a decisive moment.

Lamine Yamal - 7.5: Both breathtaking and frustrating. He was unplayable at times, completing seven dribbles and grabbing an assist. But he also missed two big chances and lost possession far too often. It’s the kind of raw, explosive performance that shows his immense talent and his room for growth.

Mikel Oyarzabal - 8.0: Set the team on its way with a calm finish for the crucial first goal. His movement was intelligent, and he linked up play beautifully. He was a constant nuisance for the defenders, and his experience showed. A very smart and effective performance.

Substitutes

Pau Cubarsí - 6.5: Slotted in seamlessly for Le Normand.

Dani Carvajal - 6.5: Provided fresh legs and stability.

Rodri - 7.0: Kept the midfield ticking over with ease.

Dani Olmo - 6.5: Looked lively but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Jesús Rodríguez - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

L. De La Fuente - 8.0: His plan worked to perfection. He set his team up to dominate from the first minute and they executed his instructions flawlessly. The first-half blitz killed the game, allowing for key players to be rested. A job well done.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Marc Cucurella