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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive 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 defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement 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 approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying 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 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced 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 superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.