Mikel Merino's Double Sparks La Roja's Goal Spree in Commanding Victory Over Bulgaria

It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway 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 special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.