Mikel Merino's Double Fuels Spain's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched 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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three 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: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled 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 opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.