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It all commenced in Scottish soil and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Although two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente talked about a route opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

On a night when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the first two goals and could have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad striker, goal-getter of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive 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. Although FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has equaled that historic squad against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the achievement will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four, aggregate score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

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

Midfield Brilliance

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect 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 the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had exhausted supply 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 first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the outside of the net.

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

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, 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 completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.