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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against 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 scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive 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 substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances 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 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 magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional 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 midway 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 special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.