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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; many believed it might prove to be his last assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, whereas virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of World Cup participation, and also achieving their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from 12 in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and sometime striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. Although FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

Victory in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be theirs alone. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score fifteen-zero. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

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

But then, shortly after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

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 could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly breaking away and hitting the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the away team had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his team's goal. Yet it was not quite done, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.