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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat 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 historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking 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 sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time 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 fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.