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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

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

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

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

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent 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 the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only 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

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying 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 ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.