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It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, chipping 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 volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean 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 ball, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

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, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.