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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route 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, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

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 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 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 most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following 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 own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.