Mikel Merino's Brace Sparks La Roja's Goal Run in Dominant Victory Over Bulgarian Side

Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially 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 achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

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

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as 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 eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla 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 just that. He had previously floated a magnificent 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 neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated 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 positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, 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.