Mikel Merino's Brace Fuels Spain's Goal Spree in Commanding Victory Over Bulgaria

It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.