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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as 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 constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three 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 power the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their following 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 team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.