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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win 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 approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

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 outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable 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 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking 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 unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.