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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable 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. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three 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 core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium 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 woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking 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 injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

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