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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little 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 initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.