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It all began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. 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 remarkably, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting number one, among the favorites 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 wins from four, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable 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 instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless 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. Still it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.