Mikel Merino's Double Sparks Spain's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

Everything started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area 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 pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray 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 territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors 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 fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.