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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing 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 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win 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 favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously 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 created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.