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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three 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 decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record 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 favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike 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 first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, 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 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.