Merino's Brace Ignites Spain's Goal Run in Commanding Victory Over Bulgarian Side

Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when 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 European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did 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 historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. 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.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery 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 celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.