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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only 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. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty 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, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated 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 lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.