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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances 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 maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured 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, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments 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.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. 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 finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking 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 denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.