Merino's Double Fuels Spain's Goal Spree in Dominant Win Over Bulgaria

It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing 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 impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as 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 defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately 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, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared 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 uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.