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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship 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 rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances 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 area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

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 equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.