Merino's Brace Ignites La Roja's Goal Spree in Dominant Victory Over Bulgaria

Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

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

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

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

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.