Merino's Double Ignites Spain's Scoring Spree in Dominant Win Over Bulgaria

Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional 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 lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly 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 advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.