Mikel Merino's Brace Ignites La Roja's Goal Run in Dominant Win Over Bulgarian Side

Everything began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick 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 golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole 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 represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking 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, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.