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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening 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, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, 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 opening 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 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 resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during 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 only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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 attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced 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 all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.