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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being 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 constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping 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

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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 could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.