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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

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

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being 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 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now 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.

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 leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

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