🔗 Share this article Merino's Brace Sparks Spain's Goal Spree in Commanding Win Over Bulgaria It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right. 36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record. Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have earned 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. Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured. Win 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 approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times. Total Control This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target. Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point. Midfield Brilliance This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too. When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied. Continued Pressure A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide. But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed 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 moment later Aghehowa might have made it two. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting 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 flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the corner flag. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet 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 ongoing reign.