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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum continues. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be brief, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have earned his second consecutive three-goal haul in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole 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 constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, 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 appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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 could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.