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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful evening 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. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 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 they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box 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 volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.