Spain 4-0 Bulgaria: Merino moves European champions closer to World Cup
Spain cruised to another comfortable win in World Cup qualifying, with Mikel Merino on target twice at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.
Mikel Merino netted a brace for Spain as the European Champions took a big step towards World Cup qualification with a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Atanas Chernev's own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty helped Spain to an emphatic victory, with Luis de la Fuente's side now on the cusp of a place in next year's finals after making it four wins from four in Group E.
Samu Aghehowa forced Svetoslav Vutsov into a smart stop at his near post early on, moments before Pedri darted in behind, only to hit the underside of the crossbar with a dinked effort.
Vutsov then made two more important saves to keep out Samu and Oyarzabal, keeping Bulgaria in it as the visitors struggled to make an impact at the other end.
But Spain finally got their breakthrough 35 minutes in when Merino thumped a powerful header looping over the goalkeeper after meeting Robin Le Normand's knockdown.
Spain continued to dominate after the break, with Vutsov tipping Borja Iglesias' attempt wide just before Merino got his second in the 57th minute. The Arsenal midfielder rose high to head Alex Grimaldo's cross into the bottom-left corner.
Aleix Garcia was responsible for the third goal, with his low cross turned into his own net by Chernev 79 minutes in, and after Martin Georgiev caught Merino in the box in stoppage time, Oyarzabal fired his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner to cap a resounding triumph.
Data Debrief: Merino steals the show
Two towering headers from Merino got the job done as he continued his impressive run in front of goal. He has scored six times in four matches in Spain's qualifying campaign, with no midfielder scoring more across the European qualifiers (Kevin De Bruyne also has six).
And Le Normand has also been playing his part in the final third – he has been involved in four goals in his last five games for club and country (two goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 103 such appearances (three goals, one assist).
La Roja were dominant throughout, having 33 attempts in total worth 3.87 expected goals (xG), with 11 of those on target. At the other end, Bulgaria mustered just 0.38 xG from three off-target shots.
Spain have not lost in 29 competitive matches (W24 D5), matching their best ever run, achieved between 2010 and 2013 (W24 D5).
