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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful evening 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. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter 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.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won 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 favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained 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 count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping 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 pulled an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

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 received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.