Mikel Merino's Brace Sparks La Roja's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final 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 continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did 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 legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted 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 gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery 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 got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.