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Everything started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup participation, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly 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 thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and putting his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.