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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team 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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 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 they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.