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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man once accused 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 competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted 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 already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway 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 only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly 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 heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.