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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify 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 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 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking 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 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following 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 completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.