🔗 Share this article Merino's Brace Fuels Spain's Scoring Run in Dominant Win Over Bulgarian Side Everything began in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right. Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record. Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution On a night when Pedri played 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 sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead. Therefore it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013. Historic Achievement Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured. Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras. Complete Domination The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target. Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. 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 The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable 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 finest touches and the most incisive too. When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked. Sustained Attack An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide. But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil. Brief Resistance But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting. Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost. Closing Stages Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.