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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary 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. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, 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 contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.