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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause 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 during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box 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 volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.