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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured 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 old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 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. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

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

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map 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 injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.