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Everything began in Scotland and the momentum persists. That memorable evening at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it could turn out to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente talked about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

36 months and four days, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, and also racking up their 29th straight official game without defeat, matching the legendary 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, edging closer. The Gunners' midfielder and sometime striker netted the first two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real striker, goal-getter of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and rightly so. While FIFA may not count it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet formally at least, this current team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. En route they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they head toward 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, combined score fifteen-zero. There were two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count showed: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as possible. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the first half, he had just drifted unmarked into the area again, dinking his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled another pass from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he delivered another ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The heat map appeared like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the injustice, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and striking the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it again. The cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.