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Everything began in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; many believed it might turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite 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 opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from 12 in qualifying, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record 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 approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics read: 33-3, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked 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 magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal mishit his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and dash off to celebrate around the corner flag.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.