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Everything started in Scottish soil and this impressive streak continues. That fateful evening at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second outing as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it might prove to be his final assignment. Although two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach talked about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland turned out correct.

36 months and later, Spain moved extremely close of global football participation, while simultaneously achieving their 29th consecutive competitive game without defeat, equaling the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the decisive impact, Spain defeated Bulgaria 4-0 to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional striker netted the opening two goals and might have secured his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but after fouled in the final minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Record Equaled

Now, readers may have observed the symbol, and rightly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain did suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League decider back in June. Yet officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are compared.

Victory in Georgia in a month and the record will be theirs alone. 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 sitting number one, among the favorites once more, reminiscent of old times.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four, combined score 15-0. Occurred two moments immediately after La Selección scored their first two goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: thirty-three to three, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had admitted the sole objective his team could have was to resist as long as they could. As it turned out, that resistance lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and nowhere at once: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he flitted through their lines. He completed one hundred and one passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of utmost subtlety, the finest touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla sang his name during the first half, he had just drifted 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 floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional back from which Baena was denied.

Sustained Attack

An cleverly weighted delivery had set Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his shot. He got a chance of his own only to be unable to find a clean contact, volleying wide.

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

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 half they might have equalized, Kiril Despodov suddenly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Brought on for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three chances in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The cross from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to power the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their following shot wide and yet the initial instance the away team 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 kicked in the shins and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the 99th goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.