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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, 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 eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. 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 tenure.