Merino's Brace Fuels La Roja's Scoring Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria

Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary 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 head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist 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.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following 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 quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.