🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Double Fuels Spain's Goal Spree in Dominant Win Over Bulgarian Side Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct. Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record. Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared. Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras. Total Control The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target. Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being 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 resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point. Midfield Brilliance The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well. When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied. Sustained Attack A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide. But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint half way 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 could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net. Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, 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 ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.