🔗 Share this article Merino's Double Ignites La Roja's Scoring Run in Dominant Win Over Bulgaria Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct. 36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the legendary record. Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared. Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners 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, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target. Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented 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 nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well. When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied. Sustained Attack A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, 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, then had the lead. The heat map looked 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 leveled the score, 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 was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost. Final Moments Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.