Mikel Merino's Double Ignites Spain's Goal Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending 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 turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.