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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team 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 legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.