🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Double Ignites Spain's Goal Run in Dominant Win Over Bulgarian Side Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct. Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record. Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 favorites once more, just like previous eras. Complete Domination The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target. The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point. Pedri's Masterclass The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well. When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked. Sustained Attack An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide. But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded 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 half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting. Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag. Final Moments As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time 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 completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.