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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn 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 chanted his name midway 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 delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately 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 ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart 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 unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, 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 everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless 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 fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.