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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement 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 frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

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, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, 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, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted 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 utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping 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 pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise 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 another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got 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 opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.