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It all commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly 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 constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly 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 possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time 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 half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.