Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored twice as Spain beat Bulgaria to move closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Spain boast a formidable record in Group E with their fourth win from four, while they have scored 15 goals and conceded none.

But Turkey's win against Georgia keeps them in the running to finish top of the standings, as they sit second on nine points, three behind Spain.

Merino opened the scoring with a header in the first half and added a second after the break when he powerfully nodded into the bottom corner.

Merino has been in excellent form for Spain and has now scored six goals in four World Cup qualifiers.

Spain got a third late on when Atanas Chernev turned a cross into his own net before Mikel Oyarzabal added a fourth in injury time from the penalty spot.