Cucurella hailed as world's 'best LB' after stunner as La Roja run riot

MARC CUCURELLA was hailed as the "best left-back in the world" after his stunner in Spain's opening 2026 World Cup qualifier.

La Roja travelled to Sofia on Thursday night looking to make a statement of intent in their Group E opener against Bulgaria.

4 Spain ran out 3-0 winners over Bulgaria in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers Group G match Credit: EPA

4 Marc Cucurella scored Spain's second goal of the match Credit: REUTERS

4 The Chelsea ace was hailed as the 'best left back' in the world after his strike Credit: AFP

And they did that with a 3-0 win at the National Sports Academy Vasil Levski.

It took five minutes for Luis de la Fuente's team to take the lead, which was given to them courtesy of a neat finish from Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal.

Chelsea ace Cucurella doubled the visitors' lead on the half-hour mark with a thumping finish inside the box.

Footie fans praised the defender for his handiwork online, with one saying: "The best LB in the world."

Another said: "Best LB on the planet."

And another said: "How is a LB scoring this kind of goal? Wow!"

One remarked: "My LB."

Another chimed in: "The best left back in the world."

4 Mekil Merion made sure of the three points for Spain in the 38th minute Credit: EPA

"If you disagree, you don’t know anything about football ."

Arsenal midfielder and occasional makeshift striker Mikel Merino put the match to bed with a neat header from a Lamine Yamal in the 38th minute.

Spain top Group E thanks to their cleansheet in Sofia.

La Roja will be back in action on Sunday evening, travelling to Konya to take on second-placed Turkey .