Arsenal midfielder, Mikel Merino netted a hat-trick in Spain’s 6-0 win over Turkey in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers match sending a strong message to their rivals ahead of the tournament in north America.
Luis de la Fuente’s team destroyed Turkey to record two victories from their first two games in Group E, with Pedri scoring a brace and Ferran Torres also contributing to the tally.
Merino was referred to as a “killer” by Mundo Deportivo, who also praised his stellar play for the national team.
El Desmarque, on the other hand, gave him a 10/10 rating for his overall performance and called the game “one of the best matches of his career.”
See Also: Man United And Chelsea Ready To Battle For £26m Serie A Gem As Newcastle Plot Blockbuster Transfer
Merino scored the first treble of his international career, and the magazine also praised his “historic hat trick.”
Unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old received a 10/10 rating from SPORT as well. Pedri was the only other La Roja player to receive a perfect score from that publication.
Merino Has Six Goals In The Last Six Matches For Spain
With the central midfielder on a remarkable run of form for the national team, Merino has now scored six goals in his last six games for Spain.
Indeed, he scored in the Nations League matches against the Netherlands and France earlier this year, as well as in the three nil victory over Bulgaria on September 4 and a hat trick against Turkey.
His most significant contribution to the national team occurred at Euro 2024, when he scored a late goal against Germany in the quarterfinals. Midfield goal scorers are quite valuable.
When Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon at home against Nottingham Forest, Merino will be hoping to have the opportunity to maintain his impressive play at the club level.
COMMENTS