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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

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

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

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

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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 all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one 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 most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously 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 set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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 leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.