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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one 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 most incisive as well.

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

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.