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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously achieving 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 difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured 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, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, 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 core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray 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 injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second 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 team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.