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It all started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 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. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. 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 too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.