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It all commenced in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That memorable night at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his last assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the manager once accused of being unrealistic proved correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved to within touching distance of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th straight competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino created the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Gunners' playmaker and occasional forward scored the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may 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 decider back in June. However officially at least, this current team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. 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 head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

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

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted 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 sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during the opening period, he had just slipped unnoticed into the penalty box again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

A disguised pass had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, now had the advantage. The heat map appeared like they had run out of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two-nil.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and striking the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to do laps around the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Yet it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.