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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and could have earned his second 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 La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning 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

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

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

Total Control

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 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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 could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.