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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite 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 route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially 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 exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable 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 greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.