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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted 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 possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three 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, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, 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 volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed 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 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 injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

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 flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.