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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

Three years and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and sometime forward scored the first two goals and could have earned his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but when brought down in the final minute, he generously handed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has equaled that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two moments immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track 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 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean connection, striking 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 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-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Still it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.