Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Goal Run in Commanding Victory Over Bulgarian Side

Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, 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 nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, 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 possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.