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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

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, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly being 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 constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped 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 gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances 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 opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.