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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary 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 four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable 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 squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals 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 confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

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

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.