Mikel Merino's Double Fuels Spain's Goal Spree in Dominant Victory Over Bulgarian Side

It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

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

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, 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 permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. 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 José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances 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 downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.