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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, 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 delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting 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 again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.