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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three 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 decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.