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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely 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 almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month 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 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 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 finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff 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 floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank 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

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.