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Everything began in Scotland and this impressive streak remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden marked only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; numerous observers thought it could turn out to be his final assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming La Furia Roja, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his spell would be brief, the coach spoke about a route emerging - and interestingly, the manager previously criticized of being unrealistic proved right.

36 months and later, Spain advanced extremely close of global football participation, and also racking up their 29th consecutive competitive game unbeaten, equaling the legendary record.

Midfield Masterclass and Decisive Contribution

During an evening when the Barcelona midfielder played and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain defeated Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in qualifying, nearing advancement. The Arsenal playmaker and occasional striker scored the opening two goals and could have earned his second three-goal haul in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the final minute, he generously handed the spot-kick to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Thus it was the Real Sociedad attacker, scorer of the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 showpiece, who continued the remarkable sequence, matching what Vicente del Bosque's legendary squad accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Historic Achievement

Currently, you might have observed the asterisk, and correctly so. While FIFA may not classify it as a loss, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament decider back in June. However officially at least, this present team has matched that legendary team against which all Spanish sides are compared.

Win in Georgia in thirty days and the record will be exclusively theirs. 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 ranked No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, just like previous eras.

Total Control

This was "only" against Bulgaria, admittedly, similar to previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four wins from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third strike being an own goal – but ultimately their rivals had not been allowed a solitary shot on target.

Overall count read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably playing as Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed 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 18th attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

This performance was about the entire team, but at the heart of it was Pedri, ubiquitous and elusive simultaneously: everywhere for Spain, absent for Bulgaria, unable to detect him as he darted through their defense. He executed 101 passes by the time he was withdrawn to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the first half, he had just slipped unnoticed into the area once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the crossbar, but it was not only that. He had already lifted a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to strike 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 pass saw Oyarzabal scuff 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 floated an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand headed across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the possession, then had the advantage. The heat map looked like they had run out of spray paint half way through and a little later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the initial occasion Bulgaria advanced into Spain's half they could have equalized, Kiril Despodov abruptly breaking away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the half-time, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino did it once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, leaping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header down and sprint to celebrate round the corner flag.

Final Moments

Similar to their reaction after the first goal, Bulgaria survived 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. Yet it was not quite finished, Merino fouled in the legs and stepping aside to let Oyarzabal blast in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's continuing reign.