🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Brace Sparks Spain's Scoring Run in Commanding Victory Over Bulgaria It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right. Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record. Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured. 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras. Complete Domination This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target. The total count read: 33-3, 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. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted 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 simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too. When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking 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 volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked. Continued Pressure A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking 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 possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting. Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet 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 finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.