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It all commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, 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. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

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

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass 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 directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite 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.