Arsenal midfielder, Mikel Merino, stole the headlines on Sunday after firing a brilliant hat-trick in Spain’s emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Turkey in their World Cup qualifier.
Merino opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, doubled his tally just before half-time with a clinical team move, and sealed his treble in style by bending in a stunning long-range strike for Spain’s fifth.
Ferran Torres and Pedri were also on target as the European champions delivered a ruthless performance.
Martin Zubimendi featured for 71 minutes before making way for Rodri, while goalkeeper David Raya remained on the bench.
Spain now sit firmly at the top of Group E with six points, Merino contributing four of their nine goals in the campaign so far.
In Brussels, Leandro Trossard started Belgium’s convincing win against Kazakhstan.
The Arsenal forward played 63 minutes before being replaced by Malick Fofana, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku both scoring twice.
Nicolas Raskin and Thomas Meunier added their names to the scoresheet, helping Rudi Garcia’s men climb to second in Group J, a point behind leaders North Macedonia with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber came off the bench in the Netherlands’ 3-2 victory away to Lithuania. Goals from Memphis Depay and Timber’s brother Quinten gave the Dutch an early cushion, but the hosts struck back through Gvidas Gineitis and Edvinas Girdvainis.
Introduced in the 62nd minute, Timber watched Depay immediately restore the lead a minute later, ensuring the Netherlands remain level on points with Poland at the top of Group G.