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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they won 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 favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. 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 instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded 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 moment later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless 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 completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.