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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being 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 thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

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

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map 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 injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet 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. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.