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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted 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 strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.