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It all began in Scotland and this impressive streak continues. That fateful 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 last match in charge. Although a pair of Scott McTominay goals defeating La Furia Roja, while virtually everyone anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, De la Fuente spoke about a pathway opening - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of living in Disneyland proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced to within touching distance of global football qualification, and also achieving their twenty-ninth consecutive competitive game unbeaten, matching the historic record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when Pedri played and Mikel Merino created the decisive impact, Spain overcame Bulgaria 4-0 to accumulate 12 points from 12 in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the first two goals and could have secured his second consecutive hat-trick in three recent Spain appearances but after brought down in the final minute, he selflessly passed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

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

Historic Achievement

Now, readers may have noticed the asterisk, and correctly 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 final back in June. However formally at least, this current team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Victory 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 reached a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the favorites once more, just like previous eras.

Complete Domination

This was "only" versus Bulgaria, it is true, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, combined score 15-0. Occurred two instances immediately after La Selección scored their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a single shot on target.

The total statistics showed: thirty-three to three, Spain clearly being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 18th attempt on target already.

Midfield Brilliance

This performance was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and nowhere at once: everywhere for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a standing ovation on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the instances of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the José Zorrilla chanted his name during the first half, he had just slipped unmarked into the penalty box again, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a magnificent pass into Álex Baena to strike wide and delivered an additional pass from which Baena was blocked.

Continued Pressure

A disguised delivery had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what ought to have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He got a opportunity of his own only to fail to find a clean connection, striking wide.

But then, almost immediately after, he floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had 88% of the possession, 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-nil.

Brief Resistance

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

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had three opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored again. The delivery from the left flank was superb from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and sprint to do laps around the flagpost.

Closing Stages

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria escaped once more, Despodov sent through and putting his and their second 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 team's goal. Still it was not quite done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.