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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

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

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, 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 floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.