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Everything commenced in Scotland and this impressive streak persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his last assignment. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

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

Win in Georgia in thirty days 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as 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 scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The cross from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.