Mikel Merino's Brace Fuels La Roja's Scoring Run in Dominant Win Over Bulgaria

It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had 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 away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.