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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful night at Hampden marked merely Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his last match in charge. Despite a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, while almost all spectators expected his spell would be brief, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway emerging - and interestingly, the manager once accused of being unrealistic turned out right.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football qualification, and also achieving their 29th consecutive official game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure 12 points from twelve in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have secured his second three-goal haul in three Spain matches but when brought down in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was La Real attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the European Championship final, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, readers may have observed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has equaled that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be theirs alone. En route they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

The match represented "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. There were two moments immediately after the Spanish team scored their first two goals – the third strike being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

The total count showed: 33-3, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to resist as long as possible. Ultimately, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's 18th attempt on target already.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about all of them, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the sharpest too.

When the Valladolid stadium sang his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the area once more, 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 strike wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass 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 chance of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, volleying wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart looked like they had exhausted supply of marking paint midway through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two.

Momentary Threat

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

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

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov played through and sending his and their following 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. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the shins and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing reign.