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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on 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 was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.