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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th 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 nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.