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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, 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 equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won 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 frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back 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 pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying 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 possession, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.