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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly 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 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out 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 leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.