Mikel Merino's Double Ignites Spain's Scoring Spree in Dominant Victory Over Bulgaria

It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.