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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days 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 head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning 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 ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.