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It all began in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it could prove to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker scored the opening two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Currently, readers may have noticed the symbol, and rightly so. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way 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 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two moments 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 being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, shortly after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of marking 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 unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power 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 putting his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.