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It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "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 La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

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

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could 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 might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking 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 once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.