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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought 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 expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created 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 striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may 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. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month 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 head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley 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 opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart 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 unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played 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 fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.