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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. 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 solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, 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, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way 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 special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.