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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final 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 a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured 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, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably 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 defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box 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 volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, 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 contact, striking wide.

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time 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 break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.