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It all began in Scottish soil and this impressive streak persists. That memorable evening at Hampden represented merely Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could prove to be his final match in charge. Despite two Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and remarkably, the man previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, matching the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Gunners' playmaker and sometime forward netted the opening two goals and might have earned his second three-goal haul in three Spain appearances but when fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the impressive sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain did lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has equaled that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. 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

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. There were two instances immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been allowed a single shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's 18th attempt on target by that point.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He executed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name during the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not just that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a precise pass saw Oyarzabal mishit his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of spray paint midway through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above all defenders, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the first goal, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the initial instance 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 fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.