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It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably 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 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, 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 volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless 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 done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.