Mikel Merino's Double Sparks Spain's Goal Spree in Commanding Victory Over Bulgarian Side

Everything started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

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. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting 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 flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.