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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary 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 four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole 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 all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.