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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That memorable evening at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's head coach; numerous observers thought it might turn out to be his final assignment. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating the Spanish national team, whereas virtually everyone expected his tenure would be short-lived, the coach spoke about a pathway opening - and remarkably, the manager once accused of living in Disneyland proved right.

Three years and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth straight official game unbeaten, equaling the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Merino's Impact

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to accumulate 12 points from 12 in World Cup qualification, edging closer. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final, who continued the impressive sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad achieved between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Now, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA might not count it as a defeat, during this impressive run Spain actually lose once – seven-five on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet formally at least, this present team has matched that historic team against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they won the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 ranked No. 1, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of previous eras.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, just as previous matches against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after the Spanish team scored their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their rivals had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. Ultimately, that defensive effort lasted thirty-three minutes, and Merino's header represented Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about all of them, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to track him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive too.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had previously floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional back from which Baena was blocked.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the opener, and a neat lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino directed in. Spain, who had 88% of the ball, then had the lead. The positioning chart looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa might have made it two-nil.

Momentary Threat

But then in part it's the unpredictability, even the unfairness, that makes football great. And the initial occasion Bulgaria got into Spain's territory they could have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly 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 cross from the left flank was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and dash off to celebrate around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

Similar to their reaction after the opener, Bulgaria escaped again, Despodov played through and sending his and their second shot wide and yet the first time the visitors had a shot on target it was at the wrong end, Atanas Chernev deflecting into his own net. Still it was not completely finished, Merino fouled in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal smash in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.