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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight official game unbeaten, equaling 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 accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled 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 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as 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 first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation 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 chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.