🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Brace Sparks Spain's Scoring Spree in Dominant Win Over Bulgaria Everything started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right. Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record. Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 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 correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras. Complete Domination The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target. The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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 already. Midfield Brilliance The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 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 too. When the Valladolid stadium chanted 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 magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked. Continued Pressure A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide. But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil. Momentary Threat But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting. Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost. Closing Stages As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.