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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick 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 impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

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. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, 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. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla 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 already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.