Mikel Merino's Double Fuels La Roja's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgarian Side

It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

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

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

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 crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.