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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities 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 downward and dash off to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.