Merino's Brace Ignites Spain's Scoring Spree in Commanding Win Over Bulgarian Side

It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider 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 thirty days and the record 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 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping 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 volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.