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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during 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 already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on 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 all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.