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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening 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 attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored 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 read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted 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 by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, 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 strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked 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 unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.