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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors 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 continuing reign.