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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being 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 resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, 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 scored once more. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent 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 incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.