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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won 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" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted 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 moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting 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 turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.