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Everything commenced in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it might prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone expected his tenure would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and four days, Spain moved to within touching distance of World Cup participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after La Selección obtained their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one 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 chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the lead. The heat map looked like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Still it was not completely done, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.