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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might 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 formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured 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, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable 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 the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, 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 ball, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.