Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2025-10-13 17:33:00
MADRID, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Spain can all but ensure its place at next summer's FIFA World Cup with a win against Bulgaria on Tuesday, although coach Luis de la Fuente has lost another player to injury.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reported that forward Ferran Torres has left the squad with "problems that were evaluated by the RFEF medical services with tests showing a muscle strain but without any anatomical injury."
Ferran is the latest player to drop out of the squad after Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen left with muscle fatigue and Dani Olmo with a calf injury, while Lamine Yamal and Rodri were also forced out with problems shortly after De la Fuente named his squad.
Despite those problems, Spain cruised past Georgia on Saturday with players such as Yeremy Pino, Pablo Barrios and Alex Baena showing the wealth of talent the coach has at his disposal.
Saturday's win leaves Spain with three wins from three World Cup qualifying games and a three-point lead over Türkiye, whom they beat 6-0 away in September.
Bulgaria sits bottom with three defeats and 12 goals conceded - including a 3-0 home defeat to Spain - and was thrashed 6-1 at home by Turkey on Saturday. By contrast, Spain has three wins from three games and has scored 11 goals without conceding any.
One of De la Fuente's main issues going into the game is pressure from clubs, especially Barcelona, which has seen Yamal, Ferran and Olmo pick up injuries on international duty, and the coach will probably carry out some squad rotation with players such as Baena and defender Aymeric Laporte coming into the starting 11. ■