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It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of 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 emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win 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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed 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 could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.