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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole 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 by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got 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 nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way 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 special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.