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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real 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.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. 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 number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics 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 possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 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 utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

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

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. 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 uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.