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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, 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 special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time 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 shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.