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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat 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 legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured 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 frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted 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 José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, dinking 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 strike wide and pulled another pass 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 opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played 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. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.