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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month 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 head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, 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 outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted 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 utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking 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 volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass 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 got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another 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 lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to do laps round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.