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It all started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 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 noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record 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 head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere 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 the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

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, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.