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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly 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 continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated 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 run out of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. 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.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.