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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive 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 four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered 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 positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

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

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance 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 done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.