🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Double Fuels La Roja's Goal Run in Dominant Victory Over Bulgaria It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct. 36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record. Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013. Record Equaled Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras. Total Control The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target. Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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 constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already. Midfield Brilliance This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well. When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied. Continued Pressure An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide. But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting. Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.