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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured 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 favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

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

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent 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 might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following 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 team's goal. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.