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Everything started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime striker scored the first two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty 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, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the record 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unnoticed into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately 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 possession, now had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little 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 got into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, 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 turning into his own net. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.