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It all started in Scottish soil and the momentum persists. That memorable night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his last match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be short-lived, the coach talked about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out right.

Three years and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup participation, while simultaneously racking up their 29th consecutive official game without defeat, 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 four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in qualifying, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime forward netted the first two goals and might have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three 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 Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Now, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish sides are measured.

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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 sitting number one, among the frontrunners once more, just like old times.

Complete Domination

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

The total count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name during 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 gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria advanced into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the outside of the net.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header downward and dash off to do laps around the flagpost.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the away team 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 fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's continuing tenure.