Mikel Merino's Brace Fuels Spain's Scoring Spree in Commanding Win Over Bulgarian Side

Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count 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 they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional 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 marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking 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 scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time 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 finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.