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It all started in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, 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 volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, 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 once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.