Mikel Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Goal Spree in Commanding Victory Over Bulgaria

It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured 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, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted 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 eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable 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 possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray 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 first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple 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 everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.