Spain travel to Sofia to face Bulgaria in the opening Group E World Cup qualifier. Bulgaria enter the match on a prolonged poor run, having lost 4-2 on aggregate to Ireland in the Nations League and 4-0 to Greece in a recent friendly. Bulgaria have not recorded consecutive wins since September 2022 and have managed only one competitive home victory in three years. Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev and Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov are expected to start for Bulgaria, while Bozhidar Kraev and captain Kiril Despodov lead the attack and earn a 57th cap.
Starting with the hosts, suffering major Nations League frustration back in May as they eventually fell to a 4-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Ireland, Bulgaria find themselves in the midst of what has been another extended rut. Last seen in international action getting hit with a 4-0 drumming against Greece in a friendly showdown on June 10th, the Lions couldn't have asked for a tougher challenge when they get their respective World Cup qualifying adventure underway here.
As for the visitors, while Spain might have missed out the chance to successfully defend their Nations League crown back in June, La Roja have only embarked on a serious flurry over the past two years. Getting their hands on a fourth European crown last summer as they claimed a famous 2-1 victory against England, Luis de la Fuente's side have once again underlined their status as one of the world elite.
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