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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick 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 La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper 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 eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might 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 chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.