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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as 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 defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

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 might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.