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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters 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 obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, 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 possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance 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 fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.