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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams 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 frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb 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

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, 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 completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.