Was it a magical night for Mikel Merino scoring his first hat-trick?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mikel Merino scores his first international hat-trick.
- Spain wins decisively 6-0 against Turkiye.
- The match solidifies Spain's lead in Group E.
- Reflects the team's confidence and skill.
- Highlights the importance of teamwork and respect for opponents.
New Delhi, Sep 8 (NationPress) Spain secured a decisive 6-0 victory against Turkiye in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier, with Mikel Merino achieving a remarkable hat-trick that propelled Spain to triumph over Turkey in Konya. The 29-year-old described the night of his first international hat-trick as a ‘magical night'.
The Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and later completed a fine team play just before half-time to increase his tally. Merino capped his hat-trick in style, striking from distance to bring the score to 5-0. Other goals came from Ferran Torres and Pedri, completing the 6-0 rout for La Roja.
Merino acknowledged that while Spain entered the match as favorites, he didn't anticipate such a significant victory margin.
"Facing an opponent like Turkey is always challenging. We were aware of the intense atmosphere created by their passionate fans, yet we remained confident in our ability to win each game.
"We didn't foresee a six-goal win, but we delivered an outstanding performance, respecting our rivals and giving our all, which allowed us to score several goals," Merino remarked.
Reflecting on his hat-trick, Merino stated, "It's incredible; I’m truly delighted. This is my first hat-trick, and I'm not accustomed to netting so many goals. Scoring three for my national team on such a memorable night against a formidable opponent is nothing short of magical. It's a night I will cherish forever.
The triumph positions Spain at the top of Group E with six points, with Merino contributing four of his nation's nine goals in the group stage so far.