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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely 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 a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route 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 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered 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 precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly 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 possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was superb 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 opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played 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 deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.