Merino's Double Sparks La Roja's Scoring Run in Dominant Victory Over Bulgaria

Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, 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 squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented 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 nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit 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 an additional 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 heat map looked like they had run out of marking 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 initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.