🔗 Share this article Mikel Merino's Brace Fuels Spain's Goal Run in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria Everything began in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right. 36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record. Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013. Record Equaled Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement 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 approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times. Total Control The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target. Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted 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 represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already. Pedri's Masterclass The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 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 sharpest too. When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked. Sustained Attack 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 opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide. But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net. Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.