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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

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

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their defense. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass 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 be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.