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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides 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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, 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 elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.