Mikel Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed 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 midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.