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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win 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, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 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 heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. 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 during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

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 territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.