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Everything commenced in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

The total count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 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 too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box 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 strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three 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 escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting 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. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.