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It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

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

Victory in Georgia in thirty days 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 approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

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 darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost 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 penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, 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 turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.