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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured 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, just like old times.

Total Control

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

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as 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 defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.