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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could prove to be his final match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only 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

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another back from which Baena was denied.

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 got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

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 might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

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