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Everything started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

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

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 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 core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track 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 instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

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

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending 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 deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.