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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. 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 approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three 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 nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking 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.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

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

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly 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 again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.