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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

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

The total 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 hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, 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 strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.