🔗 Share this article Merino's Double Fuels Spain's Goal Spree in Commanding Win Over Bulgarian Side Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct. 36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record. Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013. Record Equaled Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared. Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras. Total Control This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target. Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already. Midfield Brilliance The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too. When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted 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 set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide. But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart 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 unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting. Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost. Final Moments Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time 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 quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.