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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement 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 favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually 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 possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

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 mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated 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 looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway 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 initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, 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 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 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.