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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply 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 unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.