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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month 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 head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track 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 moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded 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 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 got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent 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 wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.