Mikel Merino's Brace Ignites Spain's Goal Spree in Commanding Win Over Bulgarian Side

Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify 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. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters 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 first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery 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 got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking 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 ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.