Mikel Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Goal Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

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 lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.