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It all started in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable 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 last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his spell would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish national teams 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 favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back 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 first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

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

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

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

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.