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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole 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 eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

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

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley 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 lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.