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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

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, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors 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 stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.