🔗 Share this article Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Scoring Spree in Dominant Victory Over Bulgarian Side Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right. Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record. Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way 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 number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times. Complete Domination This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target. The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 eighteenth attempt on target already. Midfield Brilliance The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too. When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied. Continued Pressure A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide. But then, shortly after, he floated another 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 advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint half way 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 great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net. Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost. Final Moments Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.