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It all began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented only 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 La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, equaling the legendary record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three Spain appearances but after fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like old times.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as 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 scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only 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 represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, 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 flitted through their defense. 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 sang his name during the opening period, 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 already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, 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 eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint midway through and a moment 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 advanced into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking 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 scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and sprint to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria survived again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.