KONYA:

Mikel Merino struck a hat-trick as Spain hammered Turkey 6-0 on Sunday to take charge of their qualifying group.

Barcelona's Pedri Gonzalez netted twice with Ferran Torres also on target as Luis de la Fuente's side topped Group E with their second victory from their opening two matches.

After a comfortable 3-0 win in Bulgaria on Thursday the coach pledged his Euro 2024-winning team had an even higher level to reach and they proved that in Konya.

"We knew we had to come out strongly from the start and that's what we did, dominating," said Pedri.

"I think the team was able to keep that intensity through to the end of the game and the result reflects that."

Some billed the match as a battle between Barcelona and Spain starlet Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid and Turkey playmaker Arda

See Full Page