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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. 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 number one, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted 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 instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way 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 great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.