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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort 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, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium 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 previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass 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 precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking 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, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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 could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.