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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won 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 favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly 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 advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, 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 cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.