Everything began in Scotland and the momentum continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and remarkably, the man once accused of living in Disneyland turned out right.
36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.
On a night when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional forward netted the first two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but after brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.
Thus it was La Real attacker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation achieved between 2010 and 2013.
Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. Although FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.
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 advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked number one, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of previous eras.
This was "only" against Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.
Overall statistics showed: 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 possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.
This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their defense. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.
When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the area once more, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and pulled another back from which Baena was blocked.
A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, volleying wide.
But then, shortly 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 lead. 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-nil.
But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the injustice, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.
Brought on for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The delivery from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.
Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second shot wide and nevertheless the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino kicked in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.
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